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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S4W-18308

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 November 2013
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Fergus Ewing on 13 November 2013

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the study that it commissioned on geothermal energy.

I am pleased to confirm that the Study into the potential for Deep Geothermal Energy in Scotland was published on 13 November 2013.

The results of this desk based study highlight that there may be significant potential for deep geothermal energy in Scotland to provide a renewable source of heat, particularly in utilising the thermal reservoirs in flooded abandoned mineworkings across the Midland Valley. This is very welcome news, showing that Scotland’s renewable energy potential could be even greater than we imagined.

I recognise that further work needs to be done to fully understand the geothermal resource we have in Scotland, as well to clarify the legislative framework designed for purposes other than deep geothermal heat, learning from experience in Europe and further afield. A number of recommendations have been provided in the report that may assist in offering the necessary certainty to exploit our geothermal potential, and the Scottish Government will consider these recommendations carefully.

We would like to see geothermal energy play a significant role in our energy future. Over the next 18 months we will work with academics, engineers and industry in order to understand more about our geothermal resource in Scotland, and use this learning to help understand the development pathway of a geothermal industry in Scotland. The Scottish Government will work with this industry to ensure it is aligned with our aims on decarbonising heat and electricity supply at an affordable cost to consumers yet achieving the greatest possible economic benefit and competitive advantage for Scotland, including opportunities for community ownership and community benefits. Our vision for geothermal energy will develop as we work with these stakeholders.

Copies of the report, volume 1 and volume 2 are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. numbers 55379 and 55380).

Question reference: S4W-17862

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 8 November 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider reopening the Edinburgh South Suburban Railway to passenger traffic as part of Network Rail’s plans to electrify the line.

Already an important and developing freight route, passenger services on the Edinburgh South Suburban Railway (ESSR) were considered by the 2008 Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR). Studies which informed the STPR had concluded that there was a poor business case for passenger services and the intervention was not taken forward.

The STPR forms the main basis for the specification of future transport spending until 2032. Consequently, the Scottish Government have no current plans to reopen the ESSR to passenger traffic.

The Scottish Ministers are willing to consider proposals for new services where there are clear benefits, subject to affordability and taking into account the potential negative effect on other passengers on the network. Promoters should approach the South East Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran) to discuss how best to progress the proposal in line with SEStran’s regional transport strategy.

Question reference: S4W-17782

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 7 November 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to extend the Green Deal initiative to include park home dwellers.

Green Deal is a UK Government policy. Changes to the Green Deal are a reserved matter for DECC at UK Government. One of the barriers to park home dwellers accessing the Green Deal is the pre-requisite for an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). It is not possible to generate an EPC for park homes using the current software. However, DECC anticipate that changes scheduled for 2014 to the software will remove this barrier. Further information should be requested from UK Minister Greg Barker.

Question reference: S4W-17783

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 7 November 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to implement a Green Deal initiative for park home dwellers whose home construction does not meet the current Green Deal criteria.

Green Deal is a UK Government Policy. Changes to the Green Deal are a reserved matter for DECC at UK Government. Scottish Ministers have no current plans to implement any initiatives for park home dwellers. Park homes may be eligible for stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package which has now evolved into the Energy Assistance Scheme, which is Scottish Government funded. Householders can contact Home Energy Scotland for advice.

Question reference: S4O-02574

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 November 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 November 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the new US Ambassador to the UK on his recent visit to the Parliament.

Question reference: S4O-02510

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 October 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government when it will implement its plans to abolish corroboration in criminal cases.

Question reference: S4W-16812

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 August 2013
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 10 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the hydraulic fracturing process (fracking) being carried out offshore and what information it has on whether there are any plans for this and, if so, (a) where and (b) whether licences have been issued.

The UK Government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change routinely issue Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences (PEDL) in competitive offerings (License Rounds) across the UK which grant exclusivity to operators in the license area.

These licenses can cover offshore and onshore areas but do not give consent for drilling to take place. Operators who are awarded such licenses are still required to obtain planning permissions and a suite of other licenses and permits before any exploration or development work can be carried out.

The Scottish Government strongly endorses the appropriate and robust regulation of drilling techniques such as hydraulic fracturing (fracking) associated with the extraction of shale gas.

Hydraulic Fracturing is a drilling technique usually associated with the extraction of gas from shale rock. Companies wishing to use this technique need to follow a rigorous permitting regime which requires approval from the UK DECC, from the HSE and from SEPA.

Drilling activities are tightly regulated in the UK and in Scotland and drilling operations which propose hydraulic fracturing techniques require an added layer of permissions in the form of a licence under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (CAR license).

CAR licenses are a conditioned license within which, strict parameters and instructions are applied to operational activities including detailed monitoring systems and reporting regimes which must be adhered to prior to commencing drilling, whilst drilling and after drilling.

There are no live applications which propose the use of hydraulic fracturing in Scotland at this time.

Question reference: S4O-02488

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 9 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for pensions in an independent Scotland.

Question reference: S4O-02471

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 September 2013
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 3 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it can provide to low-income commuters who will depend on the Borders railway line.

Question reference: S4W-17304

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2013
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 2 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the compensation procedures for self-employed members of a jury.