- Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 July 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 20 August 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of (a) carbon emissions and (b) sulphur and other pollutants ministers would regard as acceptable for coal-fired power stations to be considered as clean coal stations.
Answer
Levels of carbon emissions, sulphur and other pollutants from coal-fired power stations are strictly regulated by EU emissions and air quality legislation. The European Union is currently negotiating its Climate and Energy package, which includes new and revised directives on Carbon Capture and Storage, the Emissions Trading Scheme and industrial emissions.
These new directives will set the framework for what levels of emissions will be considered acceptable from coal-fired power stations in future to meet the EU''s agreed target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020.
- Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 July 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 20 August 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what range of technologies ministers regard as necessary for coal-fired power stations to be considered as clean coal stations.
Answer
There are a range of potential technologies, some of which are still in development, that can reduce emissions, such as carbon capture, supercritical boilers, or flue gas desulphurisation. The package of energy and climate change directives being negotiated by the European Union will drive the development of necessary technologies to reduce emissions associated with burning coal.
We will shortly be consulting on guidance in relation to consent for construction of thermal power stations, and this will seek views on requirements in respect of emissions reduction.
- Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 24 July 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 14 August 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what records it maintains of public buildings, including schools, that were constructed with the use of asbestos and if this information (a) has been or (b) will be made available to the public.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold information on the incidence of asbestos in schools or other public buildings. The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006 place a duty on those with responsibilities for buildings to manage the risk from asbestos. In the case of schools that would be the local authority.
- Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 July 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Fergus Ewing on 30 July 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to implement the recommendations in the Scottish Law Commission’s Report on Conversion of Long Leases, published in 2006.
Answer
Officials in Constitution, Law and Courts Directorate are considering the Scottish Law Commission’s Report on Conversion of Long Leases (Scot Law Com 204) and the Scottish Government will take a view in due course about the timing of any bill.
- Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 July 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 29 July 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing legislation to protect the status of existing common good assets in perpetuity.
Answer
There is already legal protection for common good assets held in perpetuity. The question of whether the existing legislation is sufficient is being considered by my officials in consultation with local government.
- Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 July 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 29 July 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that existing common good assets should remain held in the common good in perpetuity.
Answer
It is the responsibility of each Local Authority to manage its common good assets and funds in accordance with all current statutory requirements and non-statutory guidance.
- Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 July 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 29 July 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that implementing the recommendations in the Scottish Law Commission’s Report on Conversion of Long Leases could result in common good assets that are let on a long lease being transferred into private ownership.
Answer
Officials in Constitution, Law and Courts Directorate are currently giving consideration to the Scottish Law Commission’s report and the Scottish Government will take a view in due course about a response to its recommendations and the timing of any bill.
- Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 July 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 29 July 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure common good assets are protected and retained for community ownership in any future legislation regarding the conversion of long leases.
Answer
The protection of common good assets and their retention for community ownership will be given careful consideration in any future legislative proposals on the conversion of long leases.
- Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 June 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 29 July 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it remains committed to achieving an average 3% reduction in greenhouse gases in each year of the current parliamentary session.
Answer
We are committed to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050 which is equivalent to an average reduction of more than 3% per year. Continuous progress to reduce emissions is essential and the Scottish Government believe that reporting an annual measure of progress within a multi-year budget process is the best means of achieving this. Independent, expert advice would be taken on the trajectory of emissions needed to meet our 2050 target.
We are considering our final approach in light of responses to our consultation on a Scottish Climate Change Bill. In the meantime, we have committed to reduce emissions over the period to 2011 from a baseline of 2005.
- Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 June 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 29 July 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will consult on measures to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from the existing building stock and whether the results of the consultation will be analysed and published before the commencement of parliamentary scrutiny of the Climate Change Bill.
Answer
A two-stage process of consultation on measures to improve the energy performance of existing buildings is proposed. The first consultation will focus on non-domestic buildings and is expected to be launched within the next few weeks. We will endeavour to provide an analysis of this consultation prior to parliamentary scrutiny of the Climate Change Bill. The second consultation will cover measures related to existing housing and it is planned to issue this later in the year.
