Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive whether details will be published of the 300 projects allocated funding under the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated to each of the 300 projects funded under the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme.

Fergus Ewing: Details of projects funded under the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme will be published on the Community Energy Scotland website in the near future.

28 January 2012

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated to developing local community energy schemes on Forestry Commission land in each year since 2007.

Stewart Stevenson: The following table lists Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) funding to communities on the national forest estate. The CARES funding was a grant unless stated as a loan

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive which renewables developers have entered into (a) rental agreements or (b) joint ventures with Forestry Commission Scotland.

Stewart Stevenson: To date, Forestry Commission Scotland has entered into lease rental agreements for wind power with EoN Climate and Renewables UK, National Engineering Laboratory,

RWE Npower Renewables, Scottish Power Renewables and Scottish and Southern Renewables. Additionally, lease rental agreements for hydro power have been arranged with Conaglen Estate, Dulas Hydro Generation, Inverleiver Hydro, Infinis, Triodos Renewables, Wyvis Plant & Power, RWE Npower Renewables, Mr Peter Brown, Mr Tony Dalton and Mr Roy Foster.

Forestry Commission Scotland has not entered into any Joint Venture arrangements as yet. However, Forestry Commission Scotland will have the option of entering into joint ventures with Partnership for Renewables, Scottish Power Renewables, PNE Wind UK, E.ON Climate & Renewables and Fred Olsen Renewables (for wind power) and with Green Highland Renewables and a consortium of Broadland Properties and Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon (for hydro power).

In addition, Forestry Commission Scotland has a number of agreements relating to access across the national forest estate that is required to service renewable developments on neighbouring land.

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been invested by local communities on Forestry Commission land in Forestry Commission Scotland renewables contracts.

Stewart Stevenson: At present there have been no investments by local communities in renewable projects on Forestry Commission land. However, in addition to current negotiations with communities about potential projects, the Forestry Commission Scotland website has details of opportunities for communities. These include the possibility of community developments on Forestry Commission land and the option of participating in joint ventures with Forestry Commission Scotland development partners.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of income generated by Forestry Commission Scotland renewables contracts will be given directly to local communities.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the increase in number of children entering Gaelic-medium education has been since the Gaelic action plan was published.

The Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages (Dr Alasdair Allan): Since the Gaelic action plan was published in April 2010, the number of children entering Gaelic-medium education at primary 1 has increased from 390 in 2009-10 to 405 in 2011-12. Since "The National Plan for Gaelic" was published in March 2007, the number of children entering Gaelic-medium education at P1 has increased from 313 to 405, which is an increase of 30 per cent.

Rhoda Grant: The minister will be aware that the supply of Gaelic-medium teachers is crucial to the roll-out of Gaelic-medium education. The distance-learning options that the University of Aberdeen, the University of Strathclyde and the University of the Highlands and Islands run allow suitably qualified people to gain a Gaelic-medium teaching qualification with the minimum disruption to their family lives, thereby increasing the supply of teachers. Will the minister give an assurance that those training options will continue?

Dr Allan: The Scottish Government recognises that the provision of Gaelic teachers is a priority. We work with all teacher-training providers to ensure that supply is not only maintained but increased. I am happy to keep in touch with the member and the institutions to ensure that that is happening.

The Scottish Government provides support to Bòrd na Gàidhlig to employ a Gaelic teacher recruitment officer, whose purpose is specifically to address some of the issues that the member raised.

19 January 2012

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken in 2012 to promote the cultural legacy of rural Scotland.

The Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs (Fiona Hyslop): As the year of creative Scotland, 2012 will include the promotion of a wealth of cultural and creative events and activities that will draw significantly on the cultural legacy of rural Scotland. We are working closely with a wide range of partners to use the emphasis on creativity to highlight and promote Scotland’s rich and diverse cultural life and heritage for the benefit of communities and visitors alike, particularly through the promotional and marketing tools available on the VisitScotland and Creative Scotland websites.

Rhoda Grant: Recent tourism figures have shown that our cities are doing much better than our rural areas, and that larger hotels are doing better than guesthouses and bed and breakfasts.

How will the cabinet secretary ensure that tourists are encouraged to visit remote and rural areas so that they can experience the unique culture and heritage of those areas?

Fiona Hyslop: That is a very important question. Much of VisitScotland’s marketing is helping to attract people to other parts of Scotland, not just to the cities. One of Scotland’s attractions for visitors is its unique heritage and the warm welcome that people can receive.

I was pleased to hear that the 17th Hebridean Celtic festival will take place in Stornoway—I understand that the Proclaimers, the Waterboys and Kassidy are headlining—but we need to ensure that we promote activities elsewhere. It is a great opportunity to tackle the need, which Rhoda Grant has identified, to get tourists to visit all parts of Scotland.

That is one of the reasons that creativity has been used as a driver to attract tourism—not just international tourists, but tourists from across the United Kingdom. The statistics that came out last week show how successful that has been, but Rhoda Grant is right: we have a wealth of talent and fantastic scenery and heritage to promote, and it is important that we drive the advertising and marketing into those areas. Members will see from the new VisitScotland advert for the year of creative Scotland that we are certainly trying to do that.

Ambulance Service in Rural Areas

18 January 2012

Rhoda Grant : I have raised with the cabinet secretary on numerous occasions the lack of service provided by the Ambulance Service in rural areas. Indeed, it is often the case that the ambulance is over an hour away from the community that it seeks to serve. The cabinet secretary advised in her statement that there will be an increased number of community paramedics for rural areas. Can she give details of the status of those paramedics? Will they be full-time employees with access to emergency vehicles? Can she also tell us what rural areas will benefit from those new posts?

Nicola Sturgeon: I have announced that there will be approximately 150 whole-time equivalent, new members of the Ambulance Service. I am sure that the member will appreciate that how they are deployed, how many are full-time, how many are part-time and what parts of the country they are deployed in are operational matters for the Ambulance Service. As those plans are implemented, I will be more than happy to keep members updated about the exact deployment of those additional resources. I know that members will have particular interest from their local and constituency perspectives.

12 January 2012

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy last met NHS Highland.

Nicola Sturgeon: Both ministers and government officials regularly meet with senior management from NHS boards, including NHS Highland.

21 December 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what funding streams are available to (a) housing associations and (b) social landlords other than competitive tendering under the Innovation and Investment Fund (IIF).

Keith Brown: The Innovation and Investment Fund introduced earlier this year has been the principal and largest element of the Scottish Government’s affordable housing supply programme in 2011. Open to all suppliers, bids to the fund were invited by 31 May 2011 with successful bids being announced during September 2011.

Approval of these bids will enable 3,462 new homes to be provided through the IIF, with a further 848 supported through the fund in Glasgow and Edinburgh. It is anticipated that total grant funding of almost £143 million will lever in around £350 million in additional investment.

We are now discussing with stakeholders how to deliver a forward programme of new housing supply which continues to achieve high rates of leverage but which allows councils and housing associations to plan ahead with confidence

15 December 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the maximum grant available to housing associations is for the building of new homes in remote and rural areas.

Keith Brown: The introduction of the Innovation and Investment Fund (IIF) this year, replaced the previous Affordable Housing Investment Programme budget. Under the IIF, the benchmark subsidy figure which applies to applications from housing associations is £40,000 per unit. The Scottish Government will retain flexibility to consider higher subsidy levels e.g. in remote rural areas or where projects require additional features to meet particular needs.

14 December 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the quality of mobile broadband coverage across the country.

Alex Neil: The Scottish Government wants improved mobile coverage (including voice and data) across the whole of Scotland, particularly in rural areas where coverage is poor. Current coverage levels across Scotland are well behind the UK average.

The Scottish Government currently has no powers to require improved levels of mobile coverage as telecoms regulation in the UK is reserved, with Ofcom being responsible for the license conditions under which mobile operators operate. Currently, all UK mobile operators are meeting the UK coverage obligations contained within their respective license conditions.

The Scottish Government has in the past and will continue to press UK Government and Ofcom to increase mobile coverage obligations in Scotland, specifically to include a minimum target coverage level for Scotland, at least equivalent to the UK target.

9 December 2011

Rhoda Grant: To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to (a) the UK Government and (b) Ofcom regarding the delay to the auction of the spectrum for mobile services in the (i) 800 and (ii) 2,600 MHz band.

Alex Neil: Responsibility for mobile spectrum and for the auction of spectrum in the (i) 800 and (ii) 2,600 MHz band across the UK rests with Ofcom. The Scottish Government meets regularly with Ofcom and the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment last met the Chief Executive, Ed Richards, on 9 November 2011.

Ofcom has advised that the delay is due to the need to carry out further consultation with industry on the design of the auction but that it remains confident that the spectrum auction will take place in the second half of 2012.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact on (a) the economy, (b) the rural economy and (c) its broadband strategy of the delay to the auction of the spectrum for mobile services in the (i) 800 and (ii) 2,600 MHz band.

Alex Neil: As set out in Scotland’s Digital Future: A Strategy for Scotland, the Scottish Government has made it clear it expects all of Scotland, including rural Scotland, to benefit from the roll out of 4G mobile services. The delay to the auction is therefore concerning, particularly as the roll out of 4G mobile services could play a significant role in improving broadband coverage across Scotland.

As the specific details of the auction design are not yet known, it is therefore difficult to carry out an assessment of the impact of the delay on the (i) economy, (ii) rural economy or the (iii) broadband strategy. As far as we are aware, no detailed assessment has been made at a UK or Scottish level on the impact of the delay. However, Ofcom has indicated that it does not expect the postponement of the auction to significantly delay the availability of new services to customers.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is regarding the rollout of 4G mobile services across the country.

Alex Neil: As set out in Scotland’s Digital Future: A Strategy for Scotland, the Scottish Government has made it clear it expects all of Scotland, including rural Scotland, to benefit from the roll out of 4G mobile services. The Scottish Government currently has no powers to require improved levels of mobile coverage as telecoms regulation is reserved to the UK Government, with Ofcom being responsible for the license conditions under which mobile operators operate.

The Scottish Government’s position on the roll out of 4G mobile services was clearly articulated in the response to the Ofcom consultation in June 2011. The key actions identified were: that the coverage obligation should be increased to at least 98% and should apply to each constituent nation of the UK, i.e. 98% of Scotland, and that the target date should be accelerated to 2015.

A copy of the full response to the consultation can be accessed here:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/06/14092555/0.

Rhoda Grant: To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the decision by Ofcom to delay the date of the auction of the spectrum for mobile services in the (a) 800 and (b) 2,600 MHz band.

Alex Neil: As set out in Scotland’s Digital Future: A Strategy for Scotland, the Scottish Government has made it clear it expects all of Scotland, including rural Scotland, to benefit from the roll out of 4G

mobile services. The delay to the auction is therefore concerning, particularly as the roll out of 4G mobile services could play a significant role in improving broadband coverage across Scotland.

7 December 2011

Rhoda Grant : I thank the minister for an advance copy of his statement.

I welcome the statement, but I am disappointed by the time that it has taken to reach the decision. In his statement, the minister confirmed that consent for the Beauly to Denny line was granted in January 2010. It is now close to two years later and this decision has made no material difference. Why the delay? Many communities and campaigners will be angry that they were given false hope at that time and that they have used their energy and resources to try to change the decision to no avail. From the statement, it is difficult to see what they could have said or done to change the outcome. What was the cost of the delay and who bears that cost? Has the delay impacted on the Scottish Government‘s target of 100 per cent of electricity being generated from renewable resources by 2020?

Fergus Ewing: We consider that the process has been handled correctly. It was correct to consult the communities in the Stirling area on the issues. Plainly, there are strong feelings in the area and it was right to have regard to them by requiring a process of engagement to be carried out.

That involved nine meetings between the relevant parties—SP Transmission, Stirling Council and Scottish Government officials were represented—and 23 options were considered as part of the process.

SP Transmission then made its proposals and a period of consultation followed. Stirling Council asked me to extend the proposed period of 30 days in which consultation was to be permitted. I felt that that was a reasonable request; indeed, members from other parties urged me to accede to it.  

On the timescale, I point out that, because we looked so closely at the issue, we came up with significant mitigation that would not otherwise have emerged.

The undergrounding of the Fallin to Glenbervie line would not have occurred if the course that Rhoda Grant urged on me had been pursued, and the mitigation in the green network proposal would not have been developed.

Those two further examples of mitigation arose from the process that we carried out.  It is essential that we proceed and avoid any delay.

24 November 2011

Rhoda Grant : The minister is aware that the most recent crofting acts put burdens on grazings clerks to report on the crofting activities of other tenants. Will he review that in light of the disharmony that it causes in crofting communities?

Stewart Stevenson: It is clear that one of the huge benefits of changing the way in which we manage crofting is that we have good, accurate maps. We are strongly encouraging crofters with a shared interest in the grazings to collaborate on that, and the early feedback is that that approach is working well.

24 November 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations national health service boards should carry out before implementing changes to services. (S4O-00404)

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy (Nicola Sturgeon): NHS boards must routinely communicate with and involve the people and communities that they serve to inform them about their plans and, indeed, about their general performance. They must do so, in particular, when they are taking forward service change proposals. Government guidance of February 2010 supports boards in their statutory duty to inform, engage and consult their patients and the wider public. The Scottish Health Council has an important supporting role in providing advice to boards on appropriate engagement.

Rhoda Grant: I thank the cabinet secretary for that response. Obviously, she is aware of the situation in Ardnamurchan, but there is a similar situation in Glenelg in my region, where staffing changes have led to lesser services being proposed by NHS boards. The communities in those areas are very unsatisfied and very worried, despite having been consulted. The cabinet secretary has written to those communities and said that service changes should not lead to lesser services. When will she intervene to ensure that health boards provide the same level of service, if not improved services, under those service changes?

Given that there are no emergency services as such in those areas, will the cabinet secretary also intervene with the Scottish Ambulance Service to ensure that adequate service provision is in place?

Nicola Sturgeon: I am very well aware of the situation that the member raises in Glenelg and

Arnisdale. For members who are not aware, the situation has arisen because a part-time general practitioner there has been seconded to work with the Scottish Government. NHS Highland is in the process, as we speak, of developing options for future GP service provision in the area and has made it very clear that the status quo, based on the current model of service, is one of the options that is being considered. I have made it very clear to NHS Highland that any proposals that it puts forward should be based on the need to maintain and improve the quality of the service that is provided to local people.

Of course, locum GP cover is in place to cover the vacant position until a decision is taken on a permanent solution. Therefore, there is no change right now to current service provision. I hope that the member appreciates that this is an on-going matter, that current service provision is being maintained and that it would therefore not be appropriate for me to intervene in any way at this stage. However, as I said in relation to the west Ardnamurchan situation, I am looking carefully and keeping abreast of developments in this instance, too.

15 November 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-00647 by Fergus Ewing on 23 June 2011, when it will reach a decision on the appropriate assessment criteria on which to base the detailed decision making on how best to establish enterprise zones.

Fergus Ewing: The criteria have been agreed with ministers and the assessment of individual sites is currently being progressed. The assessment criteria will be published in the near future when Ministers make decisions on Scotland’s Enterprise Areas.

7 November 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason funding for the rail franchise is to increase from £299.5 million in 2011-12 to £447.4 million in 2012-13 according to the 2012-13 draft budget.

Keith Brown: The Rail Services (franchise) budget supports the delivery of ScotRail passenger services in Scotland. A change in Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) policy in the 2008 Periodic Review resulted in an increase in franchise payments (rail services budget) to fund track access charges to Network Rail. This is offset by an equivalent reduction in the level of network grant (rail infrastructure budget) payable directly to Network Rail. The schedule of Fixed Track Access Charges for Control Period 4 (2009-10 to 2013-14) is published on the ORR website. The increased rail services budget also reflects the operating costs associated with new and improved rail services and contractual commitments to indexation within the current Franchise Agreement.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason funding for rail infrastructure is to decrease from £426.1 million in 2012-13 to £290.7 million in 2012-13 according to the 2012-13 draft budget.

Keith Brown: The rail infrastructure budget supports the costs of Network Rail maintenance and safe operation of the Scottish rail network and investment in infrastructure enhancement. A change in Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) policy in the 2008 Periodic Review resulted in an increase in franchise payments (rail services budget) to fund track access charges to Network Rail. This is offset by an equivalent reduction in the level of network grant (rail infrastructure budget) payable directly to Network Rail. The schedule of Fixed Track Access Charges for Control Period 4 (2009-10 to 2013-14) is published on the ORR website. In the 2008 Periodic Review the ORR also set Network Rail the target of improving its efficiency by 21 per cent in the five years to March 2014.

3 November 2011

Fergus Ewing: Scottish Government officials have met with the major LPG and heating fuel suppliers since last winter to discuss and encourage preparations for winter and to enhance resilience of the supply chains.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive whether its winter preparedness plans address the delivery of fuel to vulnerable people not connected to mains gas or the electricity grid.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government has met with Scotland's key fuel suppliers including those that supply off-grid areas. A number of winter resilience initiatives have been developed across the sector including a Vulnerable Persons and Customers Framework. The framework provides a basis for local responders and key service providers to work together to deliver the necessary care measures to vulnerable persons and customers this coming winter.

27 October 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive who can contract for work under the Universal Home Insulation Scheme and when the second phase of the scheme will be implemented.

Alex Neil: Local authorities have the client role for work under the Universal Home Insulation Scheme and are responsible for the procurement of all services required. This includes both the installation of energy efficiency measures, and the work associated with this in terms of marketing, signing up households, survey work, energy advice, etc. Councils are responsible for carrying out procurement in accordance with all relevant legislation, and for ensuring that installers are suitably qualified and experienced, have in place the necessary insurances, etc. In 2010-11 work was awarded both to large insulation installation companies working on a national scale, and to smaller local installers, including social sector businesses. The network of Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centres (ESSACs) played a key role in most projects, particularly in relation to energy efficiency advice, and identifying households eligible for the Energy Assistance Package (EAP).

An announcement detailing the awards of funding for the second round of UHIS was announced on 26 September. Schemes are currently getting underway across the country.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the neediest households can access the Universal Home Insulation Scheme.

Alex Neil: Local authorities are responsible for selecting areas and designing schemes supported through the Universal Home Insulation Scheme (UHIS). They do so with reference to their existing local housing, energy efficiency and fuel poverty strategies. A key criterion for the award of funding under the Scheme was that bids should provide evidence of levels of fuel poverty within the area chosen.

The approach to encouraging take-up varies between schemes. However most involve direct mailing to all households within the chosen area, and many follow this up by sending out teams of trained Home Energy Assessors, who carry out door-to-door visits to offer Home Energy Checks, and explain what is offered under the Scheme. Callers to the Home Energy Scotland Hotline will also be advised of the support offered if they live in a UHIS area.

Local authorities were required in their bids to confirm that arrangements would be put in place to ensure close integration between UHIS and the Energy Assistance Package (EAP), which is specifically aimed at assisting the most vulnerable households. Following the awards of funding, guidance was issued to local authorities to encourage and assist them in linking their schemes with the EAP, in order that qualifying UHIS customers most in need of support are identified and directed to the measures available. The Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment has announced that an extra £5 million will be invested into the Energy Assistance Package this year, taking the overall spending to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency in 2011-12 to £53 million.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how funds from the Universal Home Insulation Scheme are prioritised and allocated by local authorities and what criteria are used to ensure fairness.

Alex Neil: Bids submitted by councils for funding from the Universal Home Insulation Scheme were assessed in the first instance by officials, who reported to a Bid Assessment Panel made up of representatives of a range of organisations with an interest in the Scheme, including COSLA, the Fuel Poverty Forum, and Energy Action Scotland. Bids were assessed against criteria which reflected the agreed objectives of the Scheme, i.e., to reduce carbon emissions and fuel poverty.

The recommendations of the Bid Assessment Panel were then considered and agreed by COSLA’s Leadership Board.

A key criterion was that bids should demonstrate how the area selected, and the design of the scheme proposed fits with the council’s Local Housing Strategy. The approach to energy efficiency set out in these strategies is in turn expected to take account of Scottish Government guidance, Addressing Climate Change in Local Housing Strategies. This Guidance emphasises the need for councils to analyse the physical characteristics of the stock in their area, and the distribution of fuel poverty, and to plan the investment made through energy efficiency programmes accordingly.

A further criterion required bids to provide evidence of fuel poverty in the area chosen, together with evidence of the physical capacity of the stock in the area to take insulation measures.

The role of local authorities has been critical to the success of the Universal Home Insulation Scheme. The criteria for awards of funding, and processes for bid assessment which have been put in place are designed to ensure fairness and transparency in resource allocation, while recognising the benefits of councils developing schemes which reflect their local needs and circumstances.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how the Universal Home Insulation Scheme will be publicised in order to encourage take-up.

Alex Neil: Local authorities are responsible for publicity arrangements for their individual schemes. However, to assist, the Scottish Government has issued guidance on marketing alongside formal offers of grant. Marketing strategies for individual schemes vary, taking into account the nature of the scheme, local geographical factors, relationship with other local initiatives, etc. Most schemes involve direct mailing to all households within the chosen area, and many follow this up by sending out teams of trained Home Energy Assessors, who carry out door-to-door visits to offer Home Energy Checks, and to explain what is offered under the Scheme. Callers to the Home Energy Scotland Hotline will also, if appropriate, be advised of the support on offer through the Universal Home Insulation Scheme.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs are supported by the construction of (a) council and (b) socially rented homes.

21 October 2011

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government has established a task group on renewable heat to advise on priority issues in order to increase development of renewable heat. The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) is represented on the group. We will also shortly establish an Expert Commission to advise on the delivery of district heating in Scotland. Housing associations can also get free independent help by contacting the Energy Saving Trust and will benefit from heat mapping as the roll out of the pilot exercise in the Highland Council area continues.

Housing associations are eligible to apply to the Scottish Government district heating and CARES loan schemes and both schemes will continue as a result of future funding confirmed in the recent Spending Review. We are also encouraging housing associations to access the UK Government’s Renewable Heat Premium Payment Scheme which has £3 million set aside for registered social landlords.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how many homes are supplied by district renewable heating schemes.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government does not hold a central comprehensive record of the number of homes supplied by district renewable heating schemes. However, from the information available to us, there are at least 1,876 homes connected to a renewable district heating system in Scotland. This includes some systems which have a low carbon element.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how many homes will be supplied by district renewable heating schemes in each of the next five years.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. However, our £2.5 million district heating loan scheme will enable connection of 305 households to renewable district heating networks within the next two years. This funding will also enable project network expansion at a future date to more than double the number of households – to over 600. A further £5 million has been allocated to continue the scheme over the next three years, allowing the potential to at least double these figures again over the next five years.

Rhoda Grant: To ask the Scottish Executive what funding mechanism will be used to enable housing associations to fund renewable heating schemes.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government will assist housing associations finance renewable heating schemes through a number of programmes. The district heating and Comunities and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) loan schemes both provide housing associations with the opportunity to access funding to develop renewable heating schemes. Our £50 million Warm Homes Fund will also deliver renewable energy and energy efficient homes in those communities worst affected by fuel poverty. The Scottish Government also encourages housing associations to access funding through the UK Government’s Renewable Heat Premium Payment Scheme. £3 million of the £15 million programme has been set aside for registered social landlords to improve their housing stock

25 October 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that communities worst hit by high fuel prices will see a reduction in fuel costs.

Alex Neil: As announced on 5 October, I set out the action this government is taking to tackle fuel poverty. We have increased funding for fuel poverty in the Spending Review and also boosted this year’s budget by an additional £5 million. Funding for Fuel poverty and Energy Efficiency programmes will be £65 million in 2012-13 and in 2013-14 – rising to £66.25 million in 2014-15. That is a 35% increase on the £48 million being provided in 2011-12 and illustrates very clearly the importance given to supporting households affected by fuel poverty. Energy prices are a reserved issue but ministers will continue to act. The Scottish Government has committed to holding a fuel summit in partnership with Consumer Focus Scotland and other consumer interests which will address the actions which can be taken to minimise the impact of the recent price rises on consumers

26 October 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs are supported by the construction of (a) council and (b) socially rented homes.

14^th. October 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive when housing health checks will be offered to those living in socially rented housing.

Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is working with all local authorities and their partners to help develop approaches to identifying housing options. This approach is initially focused on preventing homelessness, but will also be extended to looking at the provision of housing health checks.

An independent evaluation of the housing options approach has been commissioned which will influence development of housing health checks. The report is due in early 2012.

Individual social rented landlords are best placed to take housing health checks forward for their tenants. The Scottish Government will work with landlords to enable development of this activity, but will not impose timescales for implementation.

Rhoda Grant: To ask the Scottish Executive how many housing health checks it expects to offer to those living in socially rented housing in each of the next five years.

Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is working with all local authorities and their partners to develop approaches to identifying housing options. This approach is initially focused on preventing homelessness, but will also be extended to looking at the provision of housing health checks.

An independent evaluation of the housing options approach has been commissioned which will influence development of housing health checks. The report is due in early 2012.

Individual social rented landlords are best placed to take housing health checks forward for their tenants. The Scottish Government will work with landlords to enable development of this activity, but will not impose central targets over the next five years.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to strengthen tenancy rules for people who commit antisocial behaviour.

Keith Brown: As set out in Homes Fit for the 21st Century the Scottish Government will consult on a number of possible changes to tenancies within the socially rented sector including widening the

circumstances in which a Short Scottish Secure Tenancy can be used where the tenant has a history of anti-social behaviour and introducing an initial tenancy for all new social housing tenants.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive when it will create a development strategy to grow and improve the private rented housing sector.

Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is working with members of the private rented sector strategy group and other key stakeholders to publish a new strategy for the sector in early 2012.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a national strategy on housing for older people.

Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-00370 on 9 June 2011. 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/Apps2/MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx.

7 October 2011

Keith Brown: Housing is and will remain a priority for the Scottish Government. Despite the budget cuts from Westminster, we have allocated over £600 million in the Spending Review over the next three years for housing supply. This will keep us on track to meet our target of 30,000 affordable homes over the lifetime of this parliament. At least two-thirds of the 30,000 affordable homes target will be for social rent. We have already doubled the funding made available through the 2011 Innovation and Investment fund. And we will now discuss with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, COSLA and others the best way to operate a comprehensive affordable housing supply programme, which will deliver the homes that Scotland needs.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how many empty homes there are.

Keith Brown: As of 2 September 2010, there were 70,000 empty properties in Scotland of which 24,598 properties recorded as long term empty, based on council tax records. The overall empty properties include all properties which have registered for a council tax exemption or discount no matter the length of time empty. Long term empty properties are generally properties, liable for council tax, which have been empty for six months or longer although the exact time when a property becomes a long term empty property depends on the initial reason for being declared empty. Data for 2011 will be available by the end of the year.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to bring empty homes back into use.

Keith Brown: Bringing empty properties back into use is primarily a matter for individual local authorities. Where there are significant issues locally the Scottish Government would expect authorities to address these in their Local Housing Strategies.

In order to support local authorities, the Scottish Government is funding the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, which is run by Shelter Scotland. The partnership supports Local Authorities and other parties to work with owners to reduce the number of empty homes with a specific, but not exclusive, focus on them being made available for affordable rent or sale. In its first year, the partnership has developed a range of guidance material and run training and awareness raising sessions focussed on tackling empty homes.

The Scottish Government will be consulting shortly on its proposals to enable local authorities to charge a Council Tax levy on long term empty properties. This will aim both to encourage owners of empty homes to make their homes available for rent or sale and to raise additional revenue to fund affordable housing.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive when it will introduce the proposed levy on long-term empty homes.

Keith Brown: The Scottish Government will be consulting shortly on its proposals to enable local authorities to charge a council tax levy on long term empty properties. This will aim both to encourage empty homeowners to make their homes available for rent or sale and to raise additional revenue to fund affordable housing.

We expect to introduce the legislation to parliament in 2012. Subject to the progress of that legislation, this should enable local authorities to start charging a levy from April 2013.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how much it expects to raise from the proposed levy on long-term empty homes.

Keith Brown: The amount raised will depend on how many local authorities use the new powers, to what extent and also how many owners decide to let or sell their home.

We estimate that local authorities could raise up to an additional £30 million year through the levy, although this would rely on all local authorities using the maximum levy powers.

6 October 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the role is of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum.

Alex Neil: The remit of the forum is to advise the Scottish Government on how it can improve progress towards the target to eradicate fuel poverty as far as is reasonably practicable by 2016, within the available public resources. The forum will play a key role in informing our Review of Fuel Poverty Strategy.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive when will it appoint a chair to the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum.

Alex Neil: I am happy to confirm that Professor David Sigsworth has agreed to take up the post of Chair of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum. He will be ably assisted by Norman Kerr, who has agreed to become Vice Chair.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive whether it remains its target to eradicate fuel poverty by 2016.

Alex Neil: Scottish ministers remain committed to the target of eradicating, as far as is reasonably practicable, fuel poverty by 2016.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to eradicate fuel poverty.

Alex Neil: The Scottish Government’s Fuel Poverty and Energy Efficiency programmes have made good progress in helping some of the most vulnerable households reduce their energy consumption. The programmes statistics can be found at:

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Scotland-Welcome-page/At-Home/Home-Energy-Scotland/Energy-Assistance-Package/Programme-Statistics

It is a disgrace however, that in energy rich Scotland, rising energy prices are limiting the programmes impacts in reducing fuel poverty.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish an action plan on how it will meet its target of eradicating fuel poverty by 2016.

Alex Neil: I intend to undertake a Review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy that will examine how the target can be met taking account of ongoing energy price pressures.

6 October 2011

Rhoda Grant : Given that unseasonal weather and high rainfall have led to increased flooding, will the Scottish Government track those patterns to make sure that other areas are not becoming flood areas, as they might need flood prevention schemes if those weather patterns continue?

John Swinney: The work that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency undertakes in assessing the flood risk is precise and focused. Indeed, SEPA presides over what I think is an excellent early warning system around many watercourses, which provides very clearly communicated information for householders, businesses and other interests.

When we establish from the experience of flooding the areas that are most at risk, that will contribute to the discussions on and assessment of the appropriate schemes to be supported.

The Government has of course given very substantial support to the developments in Elgin, which were recently approved, building on—I mean "in addition to", rather than "on top of"—the very successful scheme at Rothes in the constituency of Moray. I am delighted that the Government has been able to give such focused support to those developments in partnership with our local authority colleagues.

5 October 2011

Rhoda Grant : I, too, welcome the extension of the energy assistance package to people who receive the carers allowance.

The minister said in his statement that around 7,000 households would benefit.

In 2008, 94,760 people received the carers allowance.

How was the 7,000 figure reached?

Will the minister consider assisting those who do not qualify for the carers allowance—the hundreds of thousands of people who will not benefit from the package?

Alex Neil: The figure relates to the 7,000 who will be assisted every year by the programme. There is a capacity issue for the programme. Around £5 million of the programme has been specifically allocated for people on the carers allowance. That is a permanent feature of the programme. Over a number of years we hope to get through as many carers as possible who require, in particular, stage 4 assistance, which is central heating and insulation assistance.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is doing all within its power to boost economic activity.

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney): The Government is doing all that it can within its powers and responsibilities to boost economic activity.

Rhoda Grant: The cabinet secretary will be aware that, yesterday, Graeme Brown, the director of Shelter Scotland, said:

"A 50% cut in affordable housing investment is a devastating blow to the housing sector and now there is no way the SNP Government will be able to meet one of its flagship manifesto commitments of 30,000 new socially-rented homes over the next five years."

Does the cabinet secretary acknowledge those very real concerns? How will he meet his manifesto promises?

John Swinney: I believe that the allocations that were made in the spending review that I announced yesterday will enable the Government to honour its manifesto commitments on housing. I am confident that the necessary resources are in place, and the Minister for Housing and Transport and the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment are entirely confident that the plans that we have formulated will enable that to happen. I look forward to that message being communicated to, and welcomed by, all those who are interested in the important contribution that housing development makes to economic activity in Scotland.

9 September 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive which sectors of the tourism industry support Scotland’s comparative advantage.

Fergus Ewing: Scotland can only maintain its comparative advantage if all sectors of the tourism industry work together to ensure the delivery of a truly first class visitor experience. Scotland currently has a comparative advantage in sectors like food and drink, active pursuits like golf and mountain biking, built/natural heritage, culture/creativity and business tourism. However, this list is not exhaustive and we work closely with the industry and our public sector partners to monitor consumer trends and to identify and harness the potential of new and emerging tourism opportunities such as ancestral and marine tourism.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive which sectors of the tourism industry it considers to have the greatest potential for growth over the next four years.

Fergus Ewing: All tourism businesses have the potential to grow and a range of support is available to help them do this. The product areas which we have currently identified as having the greatest growth potential include food and drink, active pursuits like golf and mountain biking, built/natural heritage, culture/creativity and business tourism. However, this list is not exhaustive and we work closely with the industry and our public sector partners to monitor consumer trends and to identify and harness the potential of new and emerging tourism opportunities such as ancestral and marine tourism. The Tourism Leadership Group is embarking on a detailed analysis to help define a route map to growth for the tourism industry.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive which sectors of the tourism industry it prioritises highest, and whether it will rank these in order of priority.

Fergus Ewing: All sectors of Scotland’s tourism industry make a valuable contribution to the achievement of our joint aims and a range of support, including marketing and business development, is available to help them do this. Working with our partners in the industry and public sector, we carefully monitor market trends and current and emerging business opportunities to ensure we support the industry sectors which provide the strongest basis for international competitiveness and growth. Currently these include products like food and drink, active/outdoor pursuits like golf and mountain biking, built/natural heritage, culture/creativity and business tourism.

8 September 2011

Finance and Sustainable Growth

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to develop ancestral tourism.

Fergus Ewing: VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise and Highland and Islands Enterprise are working closely with the industry and partners to boost current activity and also identify new and emerging opportunities to maximise the economic and other benefits of all aspects of tourism to Scotland, this includes ancestral, eco, outdoor activity, food and drink and cultural aspects.

Ancestral tourism is a key focus within VisitScotland’s brand portfolio with annual investment in ancestral themed campaigns, targeted e-communications, PR and a dedicated website, www.ancestralscotland.com along with a training package and welcome scheme for businesses – "The Ancestral Tourism Welcome Scheme".

Ancestral is likely to be an underpinning theme of Homecoming 2014. An Ancestral Tourism Steering Group has been brought together, with representation from across the sector to develop the new National Framework for Ancestral Tourism.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote eco-tourism.

Fergus Ewing: VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise and Highland and Islands Enterprise are working closely with the industry and partners to boost current activity and also identify new and emerging opportunities to maximise the economic and other benefits of all aspects of tourism to Scotland, this includes ancestral, eco, outdoor activity, food and drink and cultural aspects.

VisitScotland and partners continually promote Scotland as a place of outstanding natural beauty with a landscape and biodiversity to enjoy responsibly, through extensive international, national and local marketing campaigns. The Year of Natural Scotland in 2013, a Homecoming Legacy year, will turn the spotlight onto our natural assets aiming to further enhance our reputation in this area.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote outdoor activity related tourism.

Fergus Ewing: VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise and Highland and Islands Enterprise are working closely with the industry and partners to boost current activity and also identify new and emerging opportunities to maximise the economic and other benefits of all aspects of tourism to Scotland, this includes ancestral, eco, outdoor activity, food and drink and cultural aspects.

2011 is the Year of Active Scotland, one of a series of themed years leading to Year of Homecoming 2014. Throughout the year a programme of events managed by EventScotland, and supported by a PR and marketing campaign led by VisitScotland, are raising the profile of Scotland as an active country and an active holiday destination. Our Enterprise agencies continue to support the development of tourism around mountain biking and through company and destination groups, (support for tourism) around walking, cycling and adventure tourism.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote food and drink related tourism.

Fergus Ewing: VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise and Highland and Islands Enterprise are working closely with the industry and partners to boost current activity and also identify new and emerging opportunities to maximise the economic and other benefits of all aspects of tourism to Scotland, this includes ancestral, eco, outdoor activity, food and drink and cultural aspects.

Work continues to build on the legacy of the 2010 Year of Food and Drink, through Scottish Enterprise’s support for local tourism destination groups and through the "Experiencing Scotland" project which encourage key tourism businesses to use Scottish produce profitably. Food and Drink continues to feature in VisitScotland’s campaign activity and VisitScotland recently launched Appetite for Adventure, a guide that matches the best places to eat with outdoor adventures.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote cultural tourism.

Holding answer issued: 23 August 2011

Fergus Ewing: VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise and Highland and Islands Enterprise are working closely with the industry and partners to boost current activity and also identify new and emerging opportunities to maximise the economic and other benefits of all aspects of tourism to Scotland, this includes ancestral, eco, outdoor activity, food and drink and cultural aspects.

Cultural messages are woven through VisitScotland’s core marketing campaigns and press activity including the new year-round domestic Surprise Yourself campaign, the Meet the Scots campaign and My Scotland. The cultural messages in all marketing activity will be greatly expanded during 2012 to maximise the opportunities offered by the Year of Creative Scotland and the Scottish events in the Cultural Olympiad. This activity will position Scotland as a creatively vibrant country and as a world-class cultural tourism destination.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what steps will it take to promote the big invitation for tourists initiative that was outlined in the SNP manifesto.

Fergus Ewing: VisitScotland’s extensive successful international and domestic campaigns and its work with private and public sector partners across tourism, focus on drawing visitors to experience all that Scotland has to offer. Over the next few years we will build further momentum, continuing to raise the profile of Scotland through a programme of focus years, highlighting some of our greatest assets (2011 Year of Active Scotland, 2012 Year of Creative Scotland, 2013, Year of Natural Scotland), leading up to 2014 when Scotland will welcome the world with the Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup and our Homecoming celebrations.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures tourists are made aware of cultural activity at (a) local and (b) national levels.

Fergus Ewing: Cultural messages are woven through VisitScotland’s core marketing campaigns and press activity including the new year-round domestic Surprise Yourself campaign, the European Meet the Scots campaign, the long-haul I am a Scot campaign, and My Scotland campaign activity with national media. Cultural activity features in the TV advert, national and local websites, things to see and do guides, and e-newsletters to consumers. VisitScotland Information Centres promote cultural activities in their area.

The cultural messages in all marketing activity will be greatly expanded during 2012 to maximise the opportunities offered by the Year of Creative Scotland and the Scottish events in the Cultural Olympiad including Open Weekend, Big Dance, and Forest Pitch. A new TV ad, PR activity, travel trade activity, websites and sales missions will position Scotland as a creatively vibrant country and a world-class cultural tourism destination.

VisitScotland and partners are working to take advantage of the Olympic and Paralympic games overlapping with the Edinburgh’s Festivals, in particular pursuing opportunities for extensive positive media coverage to increase the impact, attendance and worldwide visibility of the festivals.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the expected growth in tourism revenues will be in the next four years.

Fergus Ewing: Currently VisitScotland does not provide an official forecast in tourism numbers or revenue for Scotland. A forecast of inbound tourism is published and updated by VisitBritain, however, providing a short and longer term picture of tourism trips and value for the UK. As a general measure these figures can also be applied to Scotland.

Respondents reported generally similar numbers of UK visitors between this spring season and last.

These forecasts are dependent on normal trading circumstances prevailing and do not factor in unexpected shocks caused by terrorism, health scares or other crises.

Details on the above forecasts can be found at:

http://www.visitbritain.org/insightsandstatistics/trendsandforecasts/forecasts.aspx .

VisitScotland does produce several "Seasonal Snapshots" annually, giving anecdotal evidence from the industry on how the tourist season is progressing, and their thoughts on the coming months. The 2011 Spring/Summer Snapshot showed over 50% of respondents rated the 2011 spring season as either "good" or "excellent", with 66% of respondents either "quite confident" or "very confident" about the coming summer season.

Full details of the snapshot can be found at:

http://www.visitscotland.org/research_and_statistics/trends_and_insights/seasonal_snapshot.aspx.

25 August 2011

Finance and Sustainable Growth

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to maximize the tourism potential of the 2014 (a) Commonwealth Games and (b) Ryder Cup.

Fergus Ewing: VisitScotland’s international and domestic marketing campaigns successfully develop and support Scotland’s tourism potential, consistently enjoying strong levels of return on investment. VisitScotland’s was the Grand Prix winner at the National Institute of Promotional Marketing Awards in 2011.

We further plan to maximise the long-term tourism potential of the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup in 2014 by:

working with media to build worldwide perceptions of Scotland as an attractive destination to visit through extensive positive media coverage

building on Scotland’s ability to attract major events, visitors and spend to Scotland using new world class facilities and enhancing Scotland’s reputation as a world class venue for events

developing a wide-ranging programme for Homecoming 2014

tactical marketing to encourage people attending the events to take in more of Scotland and stay longer.

This activity will be supported by core marketing activity, including the successful Drive it Home campaign aimed at the golf tourism market, specific Homecoming 2014 marketing activity, by working with partners to ensure Scotland can provide an unforgettable visitor experience, and by positioning the country as a must-see, must-return destination.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet the target of a 50% increase in tourism revenues between 2006 and 2015.

Fergus Ewing: The Tourism Framework for Change strategy published in 2006 states that "current estimates suggest that gross tourism revenues could increase by 50% by 2015." This ambition was based on the then currently available worldwide projections of tourism performance. Since then, we have experienced the worst recession of modern times.

Despite this, performance since 2005 (the baseline year) has held up, outperforming some of our main competitors in recent years. This is testimony to the great resilience shown by the industry in these difficult economic circumstances.

We remain committed to maximising tourism growth and to drawing new visitors to Scotland.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding for successful applicants to the (a) Enterprise Growth Fund and (b) Just Enterprise initiative will be delivered as a single grant or in instalments.

John Swinney: The contract to administer the £4 million Enterprise Growth Fund has been awarded to a consortium led by the Wise Group. Successful applicants to the Fund will receive their funding in instalments.

The Just Enterprise programme provides access to a free business support programme to enterprising third sector organisations in Scotland. The contract to deliver Just Enterprise has been awarded to a consortium led by CEiS.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale will be for (a) considering applications to and (b) allocating funds from the (i) Enterprise Growth Fund and (ii) Just Enterprise initiative.

John Swinney: Decisions on all applications to the Enterprise Growth Fund will be made within 20 working days of receipt of completed application. All awards from the Fund will be allocated by the end of January 2012.

The Just Enterprise initiative is a free service providing business development support and advice to enterprising third sector organisations across Scotland.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive whether the support that will be offered through the (a) Enterprise Growth Fund and (b) Just Enterprise initiative will include (i) advice on and (ii) funding for employment and redundancy.

John Swinney: The Enterprise Growth Fund provides direct investment to third sector organisations to help ensure their long-term sustainability. This may include funding support towards employment costs, depending on the requirements of the applicant organisation. The fund will not support redundancy costs.

Just Enterprise provides business development support and advice to help enterprising third sector organisations move towards increased growth and/or financial sustainability. The support provided will be tailored to the individual needs of each organisation, and will include access to specialist advice if required.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Enterprise Growth Fund will be extended beyond March 2012 if the funding made available has not be allocated.

John Swinney: It is expected that all available resources from the Enterprise Growth Fund will be fully allocated by the end of January 2012. There is no plan to extend the Fund beyond March 2012.

24 August 2011

Rural Affairs and the Environment

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the contribution of community land ownership is to rural economic and social development.

Stewart Stevenson: In June of this year, the Scottish Agricultural College published research on the links between community ownership of land and community resilience. It concluded that community resilience grows during the years following a buyout, both in terms of social development and economic growth as well as skills, empowerment and ambition. The SAC research was funded as part of this government’s research programme "Vibrant Rural Communities".

23 August 2011

Rural Affairs and the Environment

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what is Marine Scotland’s target time for providing consent for marine renewable developments and what the average time for doing so has been in each year since 2009.

Richard Lochhead: Marine Scotland’s target time for providing consent for marine renewable developments is nine months. Since 2009, there have been three applications for marine renewable developments. One was consented in seven months, the other applications are still undergoing determination.

9 March 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage rate in the uptake of women aged 20 to 24 attending cervical screening has been in NHS Highland in each of the last four years for which information is available and how these figures compare with the overall average of all age groups attending.

Shona Robison: The percentage uptake¹ of females who had a record of a previous screening test taken within the last 3.5 years, by five year age group is in the following table.

NHS Highland, 1 January 2006 to 31 March 2010

The percentage uptake¹ of females who had a record of a previous screening test taken within the last 5.5 years, by five year age group is in the following table.

Source: ISD (D) 4 Legacy application for 2006-07 data.

Source: ISD (D) 4 Scottish Cervical Call-Recall System (SCCRS) for 2007-08 data onwards.

Ref: IR2011-00573.

Notes:

*Important: These data are based on the pre-2006 health board configuration (former Argyll and Clyde). Figures for NHS Highland do not include the Argyll and Bute area.

1. Based on adjusted Community Health Index (CHI) population denominator: 20 to 60 years (excluding medically ineligible women) for 2006-07. Based on SCCRS population denominator (excluding medically ineligible women) for years 2007-08 to 2009-10.

Cervical Screening year runs from 1 April to 31 March.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage rate in the uptake of women aged 20 to 24 attending cervical screening has been in NHS Orkney in each of the last four years for which information is available and how these figures compare with the overall average of all age groups attending.

Shona Robison: The percentage uptake¹ of females who had a record of a previous screening test taken within the last 3.5 years, by five year age group is in the following table.

NHS Orkney, 1 January 2006 to 31 March 2010

The percentage uptake¹ of females who had a record of a previous screening test taken within the last 5.5 years, by five year age group is in the following table.

Source: ISD(D)4 Legacy application for 2006-07 data.

Source: ISD(D)4 Scottish Cervical Call-Recall System (SCCRS) for 2007-08 data onwards.

Ref: IR2011-00573.

Notes:

1. Based on adjusted Community Health Index (CHI) population denominator (excluding medically ineligible women) for 2006-07. Based on SCCRS population denominator (excluding medically ineligible women) for years 2007-08 to 2009-10.

Cervical Screening year runs from 1 April to 31 March.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage rate in the uptake of women aged 20 to 24 attending cervical screening has been in NHS Shetland in each of the last four years for which information is available and how these figures compare with the overall average of all age groups attending.

Shona Robison: The percentage uptake¹ of females who had a record of a previous screening test taken within the last 3.5 years, by five year age group is in the following table.

NHS Shetland, 1 January 2006 to 31 March 2010

The percentage uptake¹ of females who had a record of a previous screening test taken within the last 5.5 years, by five year age group is in the following table.

Source: ISD(D)4 Legacy application for 2006-07 data.

Source: ISD(D)4 Scottish Cervical Call-Recall System (SCCRS) for 2007-08 data onwards.

Ref: IR2011-00573.

Notes:

1. Based on adjusted Community Health Index (CHI) population denominator (excluding medically ineligible women) for 2006-07. Based on SCCRS population denominator (excluding medically ineligible women) for years 2007-08 to 2009-10.

Cervical Screening year runs from 1 April to 31 March.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage rate in the uptake of women aged 20 to 24 attending cervical screening has been in NHS Western Isles in each of the last four years for which information is available and how these figures compare with the overall average of all age groups attending.

Shona Robison: The percentage uptake¹ of females who had a record of a previous screening test taken within the last 3.5 years, by five year age group is in the following table.

NHS Western Isles, 1 January 2006 to 31 March 2010

The percentage uptake¹ of females who had a record of a previous screening test taken within the last 5.5 years, by five year age group is in the following table.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how many newly qualified midwives were recruited in NHS Orkney in (a) 2007, (b) 2008, (c) 2009 and (d) 2010 and how many have been recruited in 2011 to date.

Nicola Sturgeon: There have been no newly qualified midwives employed by NHS Orkney since 2007:

It is for NHS boards to determine their workforce requirements based on the clinical needs of the population and service developments in their area.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how many newly qualified midwives were recruited in NHS Western Isles in (a) 2007, (b) 2008, (c) 2009 and (d) 2010 and how many have been recruited in 2011 to date.

Nicola Sturgeon: Since 2007, one newly qualified midwife has been employed by NHS Western Isles.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how many newly qualified midwives were recruited in NHS Shetland in (a) 2007, (b) 2008, (c) 2009 and (d) 2010 and how many have been recruited in 2011 to date.

Nicola Sturgeon: Since 2007, NHS Shetland has employed one newly qualified midwife and that was in 2008.

10 February 2011

Rhoda Grant : I imagine that the hospital will need to be replaced, because I do not think that it is fit for purpose. It is not possible even to move trolleys around the building, because the corridors are so narrow. When the cabinet secretary is considering the matter, will she also look at the accident and emergency part of the hospital? There is no piped oxygen and the facilities are not really capable of dealing with some of the emergencies that come in. Although staff are not trained to do so, they need to hold patients while they wait for emergency retrieval teams to come. They must have the expertise and equipment that are required to keep people stabilised at that point.


Nicola Sturgeon: I hear the point that Rhoda Grant makes about the possible need for replacement of the hospital. All the options must be considered; local partners will do that. Having been to the hospital, I have some sympathy with the member’s comments, but the decision is one for the local NHS and the council.

I will ensure that the specific point that the member made about accident and emergency provision is fed back to the health board, to ensure that it is fully cognisant of the issue.

I am sure that Rhoda Grant is aware that the matter is not currently with me for consideration. The board and the council need to do a great deal of work on it; that is why they have agreed to undertake a formal feasibility study. It is right that they look at all the options. As I said in my response to the constituency member, the Government will ensure that we continue to monitor any developments, as appropriate.

7 January 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason it did not take part in the study by the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, published in December 2010, into gaps in cancer survival rates between the United Kingdom and other developed countries. 

Nicola Sturgeon: Scotland is not taking part in this particular study as it already takes part in a number of other similar projects and regularly contributes to a study comparing survival rates in European countries (EUROCARE).

Furthermore, the Scottish Government is investing resources in the development of quality performance indicators and prospective audit data for cancer, as well as continuing to invest in prevention, early detection and better treatment to improving cancer survival rates.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the survival rate was for lung cancer in the periods (a) 1995 to 1999, (b) 2000 to 2002 and (c) 2005 to 2007, broken down by NHS board, and how this compared with the rates in (i) England, (ii) Wales and (iii) Northern Ireland. 

Nicola Sturgeon: Comparative survival for lung cancer within the United Kingdom is shown in the following table. It is important to note that survival depends on many factors, including data quality, characteristics of the patients and their tumours (case-mix), and health service factors. Survival estimates are also subject to random variation, especially when based on relatively small numbers of patients.

Cancer of the Trachea, Bronchus and Lung (ICD-10 C33-C34)

Relative Survival¹ (%) at 1 and 5 years Following Diagnosis for those Diagnosed Aged 15 to 99 in 1995 to 1999, 2000 to 2002 and 2005 to 2007²

Source: UK Cancer Information Service of the National Cancer Intelligence Network.

Notes:

1 The relative survival estimates shown above are adjusted for background mortality in each of the UK countries but not for differences in overall life expectancy in the NHS boards in Scotland (because life tables for NHS boards are not readily available). The survival estimates are not standardised for age or sex.

2 Due to insufficient follow-up time, five-year survival is not available for patients diagnosed during 2005 to 2007.

3 Separate data are not shown for the island NHS boards of Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles due to small populations.

Ref: IR2011-00245.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the survival rate was for breast cancer in the periods (a) 1995 to 1999, (b) 2000 to 2002 and (c) 2005 to 2007, broken down by NHS board, and how this compared with the rates in (i) England, (ii) Wales and (iii) Northern Ireland.

Nicola Sturgeon: Comparative survival for breast cancer (in females only) within the United Kingdom is shown in the following table. It is important to note that survival depends on many factors, including data quality, characteristics of the patients and their tumours (case-mix), and health service factors. Survival estimates are also subject to random variation, especially when based on relatively small numbers of patients.

Cancer of the Female Breast (ICD-10 C50 (females)

Relative Survival¹ (%) at 1 and 5 Years Following Diagnosis for those Diagnosed Aged 15 to 99 in 1995 to 1999, 2000 to 2002 and 2005 to 2007²

Source: UK Cancer Information Service of the National Cancer Intelligence Network.

Notes:

1 The relative survival estimates shown above are adjusted for background mortality in each of the UK countries but not for differences in overall life expectancy in the NHS boards in Scotland (because life tables for NHS boards are not readily available). The survival estimates are not standardised for age.

2 Due to insufficient follow-up time, five-year survival is not available for patients diagnosed during 2005 to 2007.

3 Separate data are not shown for the island NHS boards of Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles due to small populations.

Ref: IR2011-00244.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the survival rate was for colon cancer in the periods (a) 1995 to 1999, (b) 2000 to 2002 and (c) 2005 to 2007, broken down by NHS board, and how this compared with the rates in (i) England, (ii) Wales and (iii) Northern Ireland.

Nicola Sturgeon: Comparative survival for colon cancer within the United Kingdom is shown in the following table. It is important to note that survival depends on many factors, including data quality, characteristics of the patients and their tumours (case-mix), and health service factors. Survival estimates are also subject to random variation, especially when based on relatively small numbers of patients.

Cancer of the Colon (ICD-10 C18)

Relative Survival¹ (%) at 1 and 5 years Following Diagnosis for those Diagnosed Aged 15 to 99 in 1995 to 1999, 2000 to 2002 and 2005 to 2007²

Source: UK Cancer Information Service of the National Cancer Intelligence Network.

Notes:

1 The relative survival estimates shown above are adjusted for background mortality in each of the UK countries but not for differences in overall life expectancy in the NHS boards in Scotland (because life tables for NHS boards are not readily available). The survival estimates are not standardised for age or sex.

2 Due to insufficient follow-up time, five-year survival is not available for patients diagnosed during 2005 to 2007.

3 Separate data are not shown for the island NHS boards of Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles due to small populations.

Ref: IR2011-00240.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the survival rate was for rectal cancer in the periods (a) 1995 to 1999, (b) 2000 to 2002 and (c) 2005 to 2007, broken down by NHS board, and how this compared with the rates in (i) England, (ii) Wales and (iii) Northern Ireland.

Nicola Sturgeon: Comparative survival for rectal cancer within the United Kingdom is shown in the following table. It is important to note that survival depends on many factors, including data quality, characteristics of the patients and their tumours (case-mix), and health service factors. Survival estimates are also subject to random variation, especially when based on relatively small numbers of patients.

Cancer of the Rectum and Rectosigmoid Junction (ICD-10 C19-C20)

Relative Survival¹ (%) at 1 and 5 Years Following Diagnosis for those Diagnosed Aged 15 to 99 in 1995 to 1999, 2000 to 2002 and 2005 to 2007²

Source: UK Cancer Information Service of the National Cancer Intelligence Network.

Notes:

1 The relative survival estimates shown above are adjusted for background mortality in each of the UK countries but not for differences in overall life expectancy in the NHS boards in Scotland (because life tables for NHS boards are not readily available). The survival estimates are not standardised for age or sex.

2 Due to insufficient follow-up time, five-year survival is not available for patients diagnosed during 2005 to 2007.

3 Separate data are not shown for the island NHS boards of Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles due to small populations.

Ref: IR2011-00239.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the survival rate was for ovarian cancer in the periods (a) 1995 to 1999, (b) 2000 to 2002 and (c) 2005 to 2007, broken down by NHS board, and how this compared with the rates in (i) England, (ii) Wales and (iii) Northern Ireland.

Nicola Sturgeon: Comparative survival for ovarian cancer within the United Kingdom is shown in the following table. It is important to note that survival depends on many factors, including data quality, characteristics of the patients and their tumours (case-mix), and health service factors. Survival estimates are also subject to random variation, especially when based on relatively small numbers of patients.

Cancer of the ovary (ICD-10 C56, C57.0-C57.4)

Relative Survival¹ (%) at 1 and 5 Years Following Diagnosis for those Diagnosed Aged 15 to 99 in 1995 to 1999, 2000 to 2002 and 2005 to 2007²

Source: UK Cancer Information Service of the National Cancer Intelligence Network.

Notes:

1 The relative survival estimates shown above are adjusted for background mortality in each of the UK countries but not for differences in overall life expectancy in the NHS boards in Scotland (because life tables for NHS boards are not readily available). The survival estimates are not standardised for age.

2 Due to insufficient follow-up time, five-year survival is not available for patients diagnosed during 2005 to 2007.

3 Separate data are not shown for the island NHS boards of Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles due to small populations.

Ref: IR2011-00238.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the survival rate was for bowel cancer in the periods (a) 1995 to 1999, (b) 2000 to 2002 and (c) 2005 to 2007, broken down by NHS board, and how this compared with the rates in (i) England, (ii) Wales and (iii) Northern Ireland.

Nicola Sturgeon: Comparative survival for bowel cancer within the United Kingdom is shown in the following table. It is important to note that survival depends on many factors, including data quality, characteristics of the patients and their tumours (case-mix), and health service factors. Survival estimates are also subject to random variation, especially when based on relatively small numbers of patients.

Colorectal Cancer (ICD-10 C18-C20)

Relative Survival¹ (%) at 1 and 5 Years Following Diagnosis for those Diagnosed Aged 15 to 99 in 1995 to 1999, 2000 to 2002 and 2005 to 2007²

Source: UK Cancer Information Service of the National Cancer Intelligence Network.

Notes:

1 The relative survival estimates shown above are adjusted for background mortality in each of the UK countries but not for differences in overall life expectancy in the NHS boards in Scotland (because life tables for NHS boards are not readily available). The survival estimates are not standardised for age or sex.

2 Due to insufficient follow-up time, five-year survival is not available for patients diagnosed during 2005 to 2007.

3 Separate data are not shown for the island NHS boards of Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles due to small populations.

Ref: IR2011-00237.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives are in place to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of (a) lung, (b) breast, (c) colon, (d) rectal, (e) ovarian and (f) bowel cancer.

Nicola Sturgeon: Through the Scottish Cancer Taskforce, the Scottish Government is working to improve awareness of possible signs and symptoms of all cancers amongst the public and amongst medical staff.

To support GPs to identify and recognise possible cancer symptoms and refer patients with suspected cancer as early as possible, referral guidance was published in 2007, called the Scottish Executive Health Department Letter (2007) 9: Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer, which is available on the Scottish Government website at:

A wide range of awareness initiatives are delivered across Scotland, for many different types of cancer, by voluntary, healthcare and social work providers. The Scottish Government recognises the valuable contribution made by these organisations in providing information and advice about cancer signs and symptoms.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive whether the three pilot programmes in three NHS board areas focussing on patient experiences of cancer services has reported and, if so, whether the results have been published.

Nicola Sturgeon: The three experience-based design cancer pilots have not yet formally reported. Each pilot will report at the end of three years, with NHS Glasgow and Greater Clyde and NHS Lothian completing in March 2012 and NHS Grampian in September 2012. Ongoing progress reports are provided by each pilot project at board level and brief six monthly progress reports are provided to the Better Together Programme.

An interim evaluation report will be published by the Better Together Programme in March 2011, sharing the key transferable learning messages to date across the three pilots. A summary of this report will also be provided to the Living with Cancer Programme meeting on 17 March 2011, which in turn will be reported to the Scottish Cancer Taskforce meeting in May 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive whether the target to reduce non-attendance at a first outpatient appointment has been achieved.

Nicola Sturgeon: The target to reduce first outpatient appointment did not attends (DNA) to 9.2% was due to be delivered by NHSScotland on 31 March 2010. Published figures show that for the quarter ending 31 March 2010 the DNA rate was 10.5%.

This is disappointing particularly in the current economic climate where it is even more vital that NHS boards reduce waste in their budgets. It is every patient’s responsibility to keep their appointment, but we recognise that the NHS has to be flexible in helping make appointments convenient for patients.

That is why the Scottish Government has given the NHS in Scotland a three per cent target for efficiency savings and all NHS boards are working on implementing policies to reduce missed appointments. This includes text and phone reminders, more choice over the time of an appointment and a poster campaign reminding patients of their responsibility in using NHS services. The Health Delivery Directorate Improvement and Support Team will continue to work with boards and ensure that good practice is identified and shared across Scotland.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in achieving the same-day surgery target.

Nicola Sturgeon: Significant progress has been made against the same day surgery target by all NHS boards over the last year. Performance against the target is 80% overall for NHSScotland at March 2010.

4 February 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives are in place to encourage people to give blood.

Shona Robison: The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) utilise an integrated marketing and communications strategy to recruit and retain blood donors.

This includes positive proactive PR targeting areas where the blood donation team is visiting; TV and Radio advertising to back up local campaigns, and direct marketing initiatives, to improve recruitment and retention of donors.

In addition SNBTS has increased the use of new media and online strategies, such as Facebook which now attracts 800 "friends of SNBTS" every month; an annual schools programme which recruits around 7,000 new donors each year, and the development of the website, including the donor session finder.

4 February 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on developing a referral-to-treatment target to drive faster access to psychological therapies and reduce antidepressant prescribing.

Shona Robison: The HEAT targets for 2011-12 were published in the Local Delivery Plan Guidance on 1 December 2010. This included a HEAT target to improve access to mental health services by delivering 18-week referral-to-treatment for psychological therapies from December 2014.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive when the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities last met and what issues were discussed.

Shona Robison: The Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities last met on Tuesday 13 April 2010. This was the Task Force’s third and final meeting as part of its review of Equally Well. The Task Force considered papers on: Persistent Poverty; Health Inequalities and links to Justice, and the Curriculum for Excellence. It also discussed its report of the review of Equally Well which was subsequently published on 23 June 2010:

4 February 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost to the NHS will be when prescription charges are reduced to zero in April 2011.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the abolition of prescription charges will have on the NHS budget.

Shona Robison: The abolition of prescription charges in Scotland is being fully funded by the Scottish Government and as such will be achieved at no cost to the NHS. The Scottish Government estimates that the final step in abolition on 1 April this year will increase costs from £32 million to £57 million. The £57 million funding has been included within NHS boards’ baseline budgets for 2011-12.

Abolishing prescription charges will remove a financial barrier to better health management for many people in Scotland, particularly those on low incomes and who may need regular medicines. Prescription charges can prevent some people from collecting some or all of their medication, and may even deter them from seeing their GP when ill

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37293 by Nicola Sturgeon on 15 November 2010, what issues were discussed at the meeting of the Technical Advisory Group on Resource Allocation on 30 November 2010.

Nicola Sturgeon: The meeting of the Technical Advisory Group on Resource Allocation (TAGRA) on 30 November 2010 was cancelled due to the severe weather disruption. The issues which were due for discussion were:

Updates to the morbidity and life circumstances adjustment within the NHSScotland Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) formula;

Options for the future development of the NRAC formula;

TAGRA’s 2011-12 work plan, and

Potential changes to the Costs Book which may affect NRAC formula data.

These issues have been discussed through correspondence with members.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37293 by Nicola Sturgeon on 15 November 2010, whether the Technical Advisory Group on Resource Allocation considered its work plan for 2011-12 at its meeting on 30 November 2010 and, if so, what its work plan is.

Nicola Sturgeon: The meeting of the Technical Advisory Group on Resource Allocation (TAGRA) on 30 November 2010 was cancelled due to the severe weather conditions. TAGRA’s work plan for 2011-12 has been discussed through correspondence with members, and will cover:

GP out of hours services;

Moving from episodes to spells within specialty as the basis of acute activity costs;

Commencing a review of the morbidity and life circumstances adjustment, and

Reviewing the split between fixed and variable costs.

A new working group will also be established between members of TAGRA and the North of Scotland Planning Group to progress issues concerning the provision of healthcare in remote and rural areas.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37293 by Nicola Sturgeon on 15 November 2010, whether the Technical Advisory Group on Resource Allocation has agreed a timetable for implementation of the recommendations in its recently published report on the impact of the NHSScotland Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) formula on remote and rural areas.

Nicola Sturgeon: The key recommendation of the report, relating to GP out-of-hours, has been included on the Technical Advisory Group on Resource Allocation’s work plan for 2011-12.

16 January 2011

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding school closures in the Highlands and Islands.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Michael Russell): The decision to close any school lies with the relevant council. The Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 ensures that when councils propose the closure of a school, a robust, open, transparent and fair consultation process is followed. The legislation also enables ministers to call in decisions, and ultimately block them, should a council not adhere properly to the process.

Since the act came into force last year, councils in the Highlands and Islands region have closed a number of schools and therefore Scottish ministers have received representations from many interested parties, requesting that certain of those decisions be called in.

Rhoda Grant: The minister is on record as stating that eight or nine of the schools earmarked for closure in Argyll and Bute should be closed. Will he now name them?

Michael Russell: I dealt comprehensively with the issues that Rhoda Grant raises yesterday, and indeed some of the issues were raised in the debate this morning. The reality of the situation is that Rhoda Grant has been stirring the issue for the past seven days. I have known her for a long time and my best advice to her is this: "When in a hole, stop digging."

George Foulkes (Lothians) : You're a charlatan.

The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson): Order. Lord Foulkes, I will not have that sort of personal intervention across the chamber from a sedentary position.

George Foulkes: Presiding Officer, he is a charlatan. [Interruption.]

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney): Withdraw!

The Presiding Officer: I warn Lord Foulkes that if he continues with that he will force me into taking an action that I am very reluctant to take, which might include exclusion from the chamber.

30 November 2010

Rhoda Grant: To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 18,828 incidents of domestic abuse recorded in 2008-09 referred to the procurators fiscal resulted in a prosecution.

Fergus Ewing: There were 7,976 prosecutions with a domestic aggravator recorded in 2008-09.

It should be noted that statistics dealing with court proceedings and recorded crime are not directly comparable as a person may be proceeded against for more than one crime involving more than one victim and there is the possibility that the crime recorded by the police may be altered in the course of judicial proceedings. Also, a crime may be recorded by the police in one year and court proceedings concluded in a subsequent year.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how many non-harassment orders were granted as part of the disposal in relation to the 18,828 incidents of domestic abuse recorded in 2008-09 referred to the procurators fiscal.

Fergus Ewing: The information requested is not held centrally.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how many sentences of (a) up to six months and (b) six months or over were issued in relation to the 18,828 incidents of domestic abuse recorded in 2008-09 referred to the procurators fiscal.

Fergus Ewing: The information requested is given in the following table.

Persons Convicted for an Offence with a Domestic Aggravator Recorded¹, Receiving a Custodial Sentence in 2008-09

Note: 1. Where main offence.

It should be noted that statistics dealing with court proceedings and recorded crime are not directly comparable as a person may be proceeded against for more than one crime involving more than one victim and there is the possibility that the crime recorded by the police may be altered in the course of judicial proceedings. Also a crime may be recorded by the police in one year and court proceedings concluded in a subsequent year.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 21,660 incidents of domestic abuse recorded in 2009-10 referred to the procurators fiscal resulted in a prosecution.

Fergus Ewing: Criminal proceedings data for 2009-10, covering the period April 2009 to March 2010, is planned for release on 25 January 2011.

Rhoda Grant: To ask the Scottish Executive how many non-harassment orders were granted as part of the disposal in relation to the 21,660 incidents of domestic abuse recorded in 2009-10 referred to the procurators fiscal.

Fergus Ewing: The information requested is not held centrally.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how many sentences of (a) up to six months and (b) six months or over were issued in relation to the 21,660 incidents of domestic abuse recorded in 2009-10 referred to the procurators fiscal.

Fergus Ewing: Criminal proceedings data for 2009-10, covering the period April 2009 to March 2010, is planned for release on 25 January 2011.

26 November 2010

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the incidence of domestic abuse where the action taken by the police was referral to the procurators fiscal increasing from 35% of cases in 2008-9 to 42% in 2009-10.

Alex Neil : It is encouraging that there has been an increase in the percentage of cases referred by the police to procurators fiscal. It is important that domestic abuse perpetrators receive strong messages about the unacceptability of their actions, and that any criminal offences are dealt with as such. Police forces across Scotland have been working to improve the quality of the police response and in particular their understanding of the issues and their investigative techniques. They have much improved their information and partnership working, which has been focussed towards identifying repeat and serial offenders and the profile of these investigations has been raised substantially across the Scottish Police Service. In particular, better use of special bail conditions and much more stringent enforcement is likely to have led to increased reports to procurators fiscal.

17 November 2010

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the Technical Advisory Group on Resource Allocation’s priorities are for work in 2011-12.

Nicola Sturgeon : The Technical Advisory Group on Resource Allocation (TAGRA) will consider its work plan for 2011-12 at its next meeting on 30 November 2010, and this will include the recommendations of the report. It would be wrong to prejudge the outcome of this decision. However, I have asked TAGRA to prioritise the recommendation relating to GP out-of-hours services, to begin early in the coming financial year.

15 November 2010

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the publication of the Technical Advisory Group on Resource Allocation’s report on the impact of the NHSScotland Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) formula on remote and rural areas of Scotland, what further work will be carried out to ensure the fairness of funding methods in rural areas.

Nicola Sturgeon: A decision on the future work of the Technical Advisory Group on Resource Allocation (TAGRA) on the NHSScotland Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) formula is due to be made at TAGRA’s next meeting on 30 November 2010. As the NRAC formula is designed to inform funding across all areas of Scotland, all aspects of TAGRA’s work have the potential to impact on rural areas. Decisions on the formula will continue to be made with regard to TAGRA’s core criteria, to ensure that funding of services in rural areas, and elsewhere in Scotland, continues to be fair and appropriate.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the publication of the Technical Advisory Group on Resource Allocation’s report on the impact of the NHSScotland Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) formula on remote and rural areas of Scotland, when it expects the recommendations contained in the report to be implemented.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Technical Advisory Group on Resource Allocation (TAGRA) will consider its work plan for 2011-12 at its next meeting on 30 November 2010, and this will include the recommendations of the report. It would be wrong to prejudge the outcome of this decision. However, I have asked TAGRA to prioritise the recommendation relating to GP out-of-hours services, to begin early in the coming financial year.

04 November 2010

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to use the vessel MV Isle of Arran, which sails on the Islay route, on other CalMac Ferries routes when MV Finlaggan comes into service.

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney): MV Isle of Arran is one of two vessels on the Kennacraig to Islay route and will remain on it until MV Finlaggan enters service in spring 2011.

Decisions on the future of MV Isle of Arran will be taken once the spending review is completed and following consultation with the vessel operator, CalMac Ferries Ltd, and her owner, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd.

Work on MV Finlaggan is nearing completion on time and on budget. Despite the current financial pressures, we are fully committed to the completion of this £24.5 million vessel and the necessary harbour upgrades, which will provide a significant boost to ferry services to Islay for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors alike.

Rhoda Grant: The cabinet secretary will recall the mayhem caused this summer by the breakdown of MV Clansman, which left Uist and Barra with a totally inadequate service. Will he use MV Isle of Arran as a standby vessel for those routes? I suggest that any cost could be mitigated by utilising the vessel on the Lochboisdale to Mallaig route when it was not needed on other routes.

John Swinney: Rhoda Grant will be aware that such issues are very much at the heart of considerations in the spending review and about the utilisation of vessels that are no longer required for core routes in the Clyde and Hebrides network. I will take into account the member's representations—after all, the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change takes such decisions in consultation with the vessel operators and owners—and we will be mindful of any issues that emerge from the ferries review, which ministers are currently considering.

04 November 2010

Rhoda Grant : The First Minister will be aware of the tragic death of Mandy Mathieson in Tomintoul last month. Press reports indicate that Ms Mathieson had a heart attack and that, although there was an ambulance 800yd away, it did not attend. Will the First Minister investigate the incident as a matter of urgency in order to provide answers for Mandy's family? Why did local staff not attend, and why was there an apparent delay in alerting the air ambulance? Will he also review the cover, skills and employment practices of the Scottish Ambulance Service in remote and rural areas to ensure that they are fit for purpose?

The First Minister: My sympathies and those of the whole chamber are with the relatives of the woman who has died. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing has received the report on the incident from the Scottish Ambulance Service, including details of the action that is being taken to investigate the circumstances fully. The ambulance technician concerned has been suspended by the Scottish Ambulance Service and an internal investigation is under way. The Scottish Ambulance Service has also asked the Health Professions Council to investigate.

The member will appreciate that it is not appropriate for me to comment further on the circumstances of a particular case, however tragic, while such investigations are under way. Nevertheless, I assure her that the investigations will be thorough and will come to a conclusion, which will be spelled out to the chamber. I know that she and members across the chamber would not want this tragic incident to deflect in any way from our admiration of and support for the work that the Scottish Ambulance Service does throughout the communities of Scotland

17 August 2010

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS boards transfer laboratory results electronically.

Nicola Sturgeon: All NHS boards electronically transfer laboratory results from their various laboratory test systems to a single IT repository, to which authorised clinicians have online look-up access. From that repository there are various examples of onward transfer, for example to infection control databases.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available to NHS boards that wish to upgrade their systems to allow for electronic transfer of laboratory results.

Nicola Sturgeon: Scottish Government funds the single IT repository for test results, known as SCI Store, plus the standards and electronic interface to allow further transfer of test results.

Scottish Government has also recently announced a programme to establish comprehensive IT support for infection control, and this will include electronic transfer of test results where this is not already in place.

Further examples being delivered by the eHealth Strategy are a new IT system for GPs and a Patient Management System for hospitals. These major procurements have the capacity to receive laboratory results electronically.

11 August 2010

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to reach a decision on the proposed Sound of Barra Special Area of Conservation.

Roseanna Cunningham: The proposed Sound of Barra Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is presently undergoing an Impact Assessment, to explore the possible socio-economic effects of designation, with the final report expected in August. I will then consider the next steps to be taken in the early autumn.

9 August 2010

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what charities have deregistered in each local authority area since May 2007; which of these were deregistered by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, and how many deregistered on a voluntary basis.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive which of those charities that have voluntary deregistered since May 2007 were under notice to deregister.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for voluntary deregistration of charities.

Fergus Ewing: This information is not held centrally. The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator is an independent body and the member should approach them directly.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive when it will carry out a review of the role of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government has made a commitment to carry out a fullscale review of the Charities and Trustee (Scotland) Act 2005 within ten years of its commencement date of April 2006. I anticipate this will include a review of the role of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to simplify charity regulation and registration.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) continue to monitor the effectiveness of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and regulations under it.

We have recently taken forward, by means of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, a number of OSCR’s recommendations for changes to the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005.

The Charities Accounts (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2010, which were laid before Parliament on 27 July 2010, amend the accounting rules for charities, including increasing the threshold for preparation of fully accrued accounts from £100,000 to £250,000. These changes aim to simplify or reduce charity regulation.

OSCR intends to introduce a new integrated reported regime which aims to simplify reporting processes for charities.

5 August 2010

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive what the Scottish Ambulance Service response times are for each ambulance station and how many of these were first attended by (a) a British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS) GP, (b) a single-crewed ambulance, (c) an ambulance crewed by two technicians and (d) an ambulance crewed by a paramedic and a technician.

Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally.

3 August 2010

Rhoda Grant : To ask the Scottish Executive how many acute hospital admissions there have been with a primary or secondary diagnosis of diabetes (a) in Scotland and (b) per 1,000 of population in each community health partnership area in NHS Highland in each of the last three years, broken down by intermediate geographical zone.

Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is provided in the following tables:

Table 1: Acute Hospital Admissions with a Primary or Secondary Diagnosis of Diabetes (and Rates per 1,000 Population) for Scotland