Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)

Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Question reference: S3W-07952

Asked by: James Kelly, MSP for Glasgow Rutherglen, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 December 2007
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 8 January 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent staff were involved in the reporting and monitoring of grants that will no longer be ring-fenced in each of the last three years.

This information is not held centrally but the number of staff employed in the delivery of particularobjectives and functions is kept under continuous review. The ScottishGovernment wants to achieve a simpler, more effective public sector for Scotland,which is good for Scotland’s competitiveness and overall economic performance.There will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of structural changesproposed.

Where any change has animpact on job roles the Scottish Government will meet its statutory andcontractual requirements and will consult as required with the Council of ScottishExecutive Unions and staff.

Question reference: S3W-07950

Asked by: James Kelly, MSP for Glasgow Rutherglen, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 December 2007
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 8 January 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive what reporting and monitoring measures it will put in place in respect of local authority-controlled grants that were previously ring-fenced.

Question reference: S3O-01746

Asked by: James Kelly, MSP for Glasgow Rutherglen, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 December 2007
Current Status: Answered by Jim Mather on 20 December 2007

To ask the Scottish Executive what work has been undertaken to assess Scotland¿s future energy requirements.

Scotland’s energy requirements are met by the private sector withina regulated market. However, the Scottish Government takes a range of actions topromote the development of clean energy, including provision of financial supportto renewable technologies, with the objective of reaching our target of 50% of Scottishdemand for electricity being met by renewable sources in 2020.

I and my officials also regularlymeet National Grid, Ofgem and energy companies to discuss any barriers to development,such as the current transmission charging regime, and to satisfy ourselves in relationto security of supply.

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