Chamber and committees

There is uncertaintyabout how much carbon dioxide will be released from peat in response to it beingdisturbed by, for example, the construction of a road or a wind farm, particularlythe long-term effects. For this reason the Scottish Government intends to fund aresearch project to improve our knowledge in this area and, more specifically, toreview and revise the way carbon “payback” times for wind farms are currently calculatedusing a methodology published by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in 2000. The ScottEnvironment Protection Agency and SNH will be working with us on this research project.It is planned that revised guidelines will be published and available by the endof 2007.

In terms of the proposeddevelopment at Barvas Moor, the developer submitted an addendum (in December 2006)which provided details on the carbon balance associated with construction (includingroad building) on peat. In accordance with the relevant legislative and planningobligations, Scottish ministers will consider all material issues when determiningsection 36 consent applications in Scotland.

Rural communitygroups will be able to access support through the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-13 which the Executive hassubmitted to Brussels. Before any of the available funds can bespent, the programme needs to be approved by the European Commission. Approvalis expected later this year.

The programme containsa specific measure, worth £32 million over seven years, to help provideleisure, recreation, sporting, catering and other rural community services andfacilities, including village halls. Arrangements for applying for such supportunder a Rural Development Contract will be publishedlater this year.

There will alsobe new opportunities for rural community groups to benefit from LEADER. Some £41 million has been earmarked over the sevenyear programme to support service provision, including village halls and othercommunity.

The Scottish Governmentis working with various sectors across Scotland to ensure they are aware of the possibilities and opportunities availableto individuals, communities, groups, and businesses from the London 2012 Games.

The 2012 Games willoffer some opportunities for some businesses across Scotland to supply goods or provide services.

No specific benefitsto the Western Isles constituency beyond the general ones outlined above have beenidentified.

he Scottish Executive iscommitted to encouraging a more integrated transport network as part of theimplementation of the National Transport Strategy. We are also working closely with key stakeholders to implementMoving into the Future – an Action Plan for Buses to benefit passengers andfurther improve the experience of using bus services.

However, the provision oflocal bus services is a matter for bus operators and local transportauthorities working together to meet the needs of local communities.

The ScottishExecutive has no plans to provide funding for Counselling Psychology courses.

NHS Education forScotland is responsible for the commissioning of education and training forNHSScotland. It has reported that there is no demand from NHS boards to developand fund training for counselling psychologists.

Considerationof the delivery of local economic development activity, including the future oflocal enterprise companies (LEC), is now underway as part of the wider workwhich we are undertaking on the future shape of the enterprise networks. Anychanges which may or may not be made to the LEC structure will take account of the need to deliver a high-quality careers advice service which is currently inplace and delivered by Careers Scotland.

NHS Western Isles has astatutory duty to secure the provision of primary medical services for allpeople in its area.

The Scottish Executive is inregular contact with NHS Western Isles to ensure that the patients of Broadbaymedical practice continue to receive the full range of primary medicalservices.

Local authorities take no accountof property or any other assets in determining free personal care payments to peopleaged 65 or over whom they assess as needing residential care.

The National Assistance (Assessmentof Resources) Regulations 1992 provide the framework for local authorities to chargefor care that they provide or arrange in residential care homes. The Scottish Executiveprovides local authorities with guidance on charging. It is for the local authorityto decide in each case whether or not to disregard the value of a property in assessingthe resident’s contribution towards the cost of residential care, having regardto the guidance on the deprivation of capital and treatment of property. The regulationsand the guidance include circumstances in which property must be disregarded.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig is activelypursuing the appointment of a new Chief Executive and the Scottish Executive isin close contact with the Bòrd as it progresses this matter. The Scottish ministersand Bòrd na Gàidhlig recognise the importance of making a high quality appointmentto this pivotal Gaelic development role and are working toward that end as quicklyas possible.

The National Health Service(General Medical Services Contracts)(Scotland) Regulations 2004 provide thatany GP practice which has a contract with a health board for the provision ofgeneral medical services may refer any dispute where it cannot reach agreementwith the health board to the Scottish ministers for resolution. Three caseshave been received where the amount of the global sum was the subject of thedispute since 1 April 2004.