- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 6 December 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider setting up an independent review of the operation of the air ambulance service in the highlands and islands.
Answer
The Scottish AmbulanceService and its constituent operating divisions, which includes the air ambulanceservice, are the subject of continuous performance management by the Scottish Government.At present I see no need to commission an independent review, but we will continueto monitor the performance of the air ambulance service carefully.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 12 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 3 December 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the possibility of setting a higher target for electricity from renewable sources and when there may be an announcement in respect of this.
Answer
As part of therecent Spending Review we announced a substantial increase in the target forelectricity generated in Scotland from renewable sources, to 50% by 2020,as well as a new interim milestone of 31% to be achieved by 2011. Progresstowards these targets will be measured on the basis of whole consumption, whichis Scottish demand including losses.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 12 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 3 December 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on reaching the 40% renewable energy target by 2020.
Answer
Statisticsrelating to electricity generated and consumed in Scotland are published by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and are available online at:
www.berr.gov.uk/energy/statistics/publications/trends/index.html.We have recentlyannounced a significant increase in the target for the generation ofelectricity from renewables to 50% by 2020, as well as a new interim milestoneof 31% to be achieved by 2011. Progress towards these targets will be measuredon the basis of whole consumption, which is Scottish demand including losses.This means that meeting the targets will require notably higher amounts ofrenewable capacity and output than under the previous method of calculation.
Using the newmethod, in 2005, which is still the most recent year for which full generationand consumption figures are available, around 16% of electricity generated in Scotland came from renewable sources.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 29 November 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the marine energy sector in Scotland regarding any difficulties in drawing down funding from the Marine Renewables Development Fund.
Answer
Our discussions withthe sector on this subject indicate that the Marine Renewables Development Fund(MRDF鈥檚) grant levels are viewed as insufficient and in need of review. There arealso calls for the eligibility criteria to be reviewed. We are in touch with theDepartment of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on these issues.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 12 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 29 November 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on its strategic overview of energy policy.
Answer
We plan to place thisoverview on the Scottish Government website within the next two months.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 12 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 29 November 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the development of a renewable heat strategy.
Answer
The Forum of RenewableEnergy Development in Scotland (FREDS) established a Renewable Heat Sub Group inNovember 2006, to make recommendations to government on the key components of aRenewable Heat Strategy. Good progress has been made. The group has met on fouroccasions and will publish its report early in the new year. This will inform thegovernment鈥檚 approach to renewable heat.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 12 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 29 November 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution Scotland will make to the EU target for 20% of all energy to come from renewable sources by 2020.
Answer
The Scottish Governmenthas expressed its full support for the EU鈥檚 renewable energy target and will ensurethat Scotland makes a significant contribution towards achievingit.
For example, we haveannounced our target to generate 50% of Scotland鈥檚 electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020 and are currently workingwith stakeholders towards a strategy for the promotion of renewable heat.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 29 November 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform about improvements to the Marine Renewables Development Fund to enable testing and development of marine technologies in Scotland.
Answer
We are in regularcontact with the department on this issue. We have asked specifically for clarityregarding the availability and levels of grant funding for wave and tidal developmentin the light of BERR鈥檚 proposals for a banded Renewables Obligation.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 12 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 29 November 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to extend the Wave and Tidal Energy Support Scheme following the final allocation of money in 2008.
Answer
We are monitoringthe impact of recent awards and funding and assessing the demand and need forfurther support, taking into account other support mechanisms which are or willbe available. Decisions about further grant funding will be taken in the lightof this over the coming months.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 19 November 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Maxwell on 29 November 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive what additional investment it will provide for the development of sport in Orkney in the years leading up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Answer
The Glasgow 2014 CommonwealthGames offer an unrivalled opportunity to inspire a new generation to take up sportand to be physically active. Within 100 days of the announcement of the decisionto host the games in Glasgow, we will publish for consultation an initial plan ofhow to capture these benefits.
It is for Orkney Councilto decide levels of investment in sport in Orkney. In accordance with the Concordat agreed between the ScottishGovernment and COSLA on 14 November 2007, we have no plans to ring-fenceany funding to local government for this purpose.
Officials are in discussionswith sportscotland about funding priorities for sport for the period to 2011. Ithas been an extremely tight spending round but we have secured additional fundingfor sport. Orkney can be considered for additional funding in accordance with existingschemes and procedures and will continue to benefit from our funding of activeschools.
