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Paragraph 3.42 of the consultation on the registration of civil partnerships and same sex marriage said: “If Scotland should move to introduce same sex marriage, then, in future, there would be no need in law for transgender people to divorce before obtaining the full gender recognition certificate. The marriage could just continue. Transgender people and their spouses would still be able to divorce, if they wished to do so, and the issue of an interim certificate under the Gender Recognition Act would still be a ground for divorce”.

The government appreciates that similar issues also arise in relation to people in a civil partnership who are acquiring a new gender under the Gender Recognition Act. We will include details on these points in the next consultation on same sex marriage, due to issue later this year.

No.

Enhanced oil recovery is compatible with the Scottish Climate Change Act and its targets if it does not give rise to any net increase in Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions.

As Enhanced Oil Recovery is not new to the North Sea Oil and Gas industry and has been carried out routinely for many years we do not see this activity give rise to any net increase in Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions. The technique also maximises the efficiency with which resources are extracted and minimises the potential for unrecoverable deposits. This is good environmental practice as it is good husbandry of valuable natural resources.

Emissions in the offshore oil and gas production sector are included in the EU Emissions Trading System, when qualifying installations undertaking certain activities emit listed greenhouse gases, as detailed in Schedule 1 of the ETS Regulations 2005. Most offshore emissions are CO₂ emissions and are within the net UK carbon account. This sector falls under reserved competence and is dealt with by DECC and BiS.

Enhanced oil recovery is compatible with the Scottish Climate Change Act and its targets if it does not give rise to any net increase in Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions.

As Enhanced Oil Recovery is not new to the North Sea Oil and Gas industry and has been carried out routinely for many years we do not see this activity give rise to any net increase in Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions. The technique also maximises the efficiency with which resources are extracted and minimises the potential for unrecoverable deposits. This is good environmental practice as it is good husbandry of valuable natural resources.

Emissions in the offshore oil and gas production sector are included in the EU Emissions Trading System, when qualifying installations undertaking certain activities emit listed greenhouse gases, as detailed in Schedule 1 of the ETS Regulations 2005. Most offshore emissions are CO₂ emissions and are within the net UK carbon account. This sector falls under reserved competence and is dealt with by DECC and BiS.

The Scottish Government provide funding to the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to undertake bus punctuality improvement work in Scotland. Presently there are four enforcement examiners and bus punctuality forms part of their overall enforcement role. This will extend to seven or eight enforcement examiners within this financial year.

Discussions regarding the provision of bus compliance is currently ongoing with both Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and Bus Users UK.

The Scottish Government has no plans to implement a Scotland-wide bus survey at this time, however, the Scottish Household Survey (SHS) is asked of a sample of households across Scotland each year and includes questions on passenger satisfaction including buses.

The Scottish Government has knowledge of two Bus Punctuality Improvement Partnership (BPIP) in operation. One operating in Aberdeen and the other operating in Dundee and Angus. Assessments are carried out by the relevant transport authorities and evidence is used to inform guidance produced by the Scottish Government.

Bus operators are required, when asked, to provide punctuality data to both the Traffic Commissioner and the local authority.

Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) examiners involved in bus punctuality improvement will, as part of their duties, assess the suitability of systems for monitoring and improving punctuality that operators have in place. This work is considered to form around 20-25% of their normal duties. When required they may also carry out specific assessment of punctuality as part of a wider investigation.