Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14069 on 16 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13713 on 15 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

On 1 November 2011, the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Division served Raasay Crofters Association notice that their lease for Raasay sporting rights would end on 28 November 2012. There is a long standing precedent for decisions on award of leases across Scottish Ministers estates being taken by officials, as most of these leases are of low financial value. Ministers were not informed of the notice to quit being issued or the advertisement of the contract. Ministers were first made aware of the decision having been taken to award the contract for the Raasay sporting rights (on 8 January) to South Ayrshire Stalking when Dave Thompson MSP verbally informed the Minister for Environment and Climate Change of the community’s concerns of the outcome on 14 January. This was closely followed by correspondence from Jamie McGrigor MSP.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13713 on 15 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The Scottish Government has had no specific discussions with the UK Government on the environmental impacts of unconventional gases. The Government is advised on environmental matters by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) who sits on a UK wide unconventional gas regulatory group. SEPA’s position is set out in their document, Regulatory Guidance for Coal Bed Methane and Shale Gas, which is available at:

http://www.sepa.org.uk/customer_information/energy_industry/unconventional_gas/regulatory_roles.aspx.

The Scottish Government has had no specific discussions on environmental impacts with Dart Energy and REACH Coal seam Gas. The companies have engaged with SEPA in relation to obtaining the required environmental licences or permits. These would be required before any exploration or production works can occur within the Petroleum Development Licences 133, 159, 161 and 163. Such work would also require planning permission, for which SEPA is a statutory consultee and would specifically require SEPA authorisation under the Water Environment (controlled activities) (Scotland) Regulation 2011 (CAR).

I refer the Member to the answer to question SW4-13767 on 15 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13713 on 15 April 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Officials had originally taken a relatively narrow view of the Scottish Public Finance Manual principles in awarding the Raasay lease for sporting rights to the highest rental value, taking account of a basic quality test that the new leaseholder would be capable of managing the sport and providing benefit to the local community, and their ability to meet the terms of the twenty nine conditions laid down in the particulars of let. Following the award of contract to South Ayrshire Stalking, Ministers were notified of the concerns of the community of Raasay and reviewed the decision. On the basis of the information presented to Ministers, we concluded that insufficient consideration had been given to non-financial issues and that wider community benefits, consistent with the broader principles of best value should have been taken into account.

Decisions on the form and scope of the review of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board have yet to be taken, but it is envisaged that towards the end of the year the consultation will be launched.