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The Scottish Government has not held any meetings at ministerial or official level with representatives of the Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign.

The Scottish Government has no such plans.

Technical standards for connecting generators to the National Grid are regulated by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) under legislation reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Government does, however, engage regularly with National Grid and Ofgem to ensure renewable generators in Scotland do not face significant connection delays, unnecessarily high costs or administrative burdens in applying for or obtaining connection to distribution networks.

In addition, in 2008 we consulted on proposals to meet Scotland''s renewable energy targets from a wide range of sources. That will include increasing electricity generation from both onshore and offshore wind, proposals for which are put forward by private developers. We aim to publish our Renewables Action Plan this summer.

All of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning''s bi-monthly meetings with COSLA discuss progress on the concordat as a whole and all the commitments it contains. The outcome of these discussions is a continued focus by the Scottish Government and its partners in local government on taking forward the joint commitments set out in the concordat.

I refer the member to answer to question S3W-19401 on 21 January 2009; question S3W-17089 on 5 November 2008, and question S3W-16527 on 7 October 2008. 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/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to answers to question S3W-19401 on 21 January 2009; question S3W-17089 on 5 November 2008, and question S3W-16527 on 7 October 2008. 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/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The consultation paper on higher education (HE) student support, Supporting a Smarter Scotland, was launched by the Scottish Government on 15 December 2008 and will run until 30 April 2009. This consultation paper is seeking the views of stakeholders about our intention to replace the current system of student loans with a fair and affordable system of means tested grants. The focus of the consultation paper is the mainstream support available for those undertaking full-time undergraduate study in HE, whether at college or university. The aim is to issue a final report on the consultation by the end of September 2009. The consultation paper can be accessed at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/12/12126380/0.

The government''s consultation paper, 16+ Learning Choices: First Steps Activity and Financial Support, which proposes changes to the Education Maintenance Allowance closed on 20 February 2009. Responses from stakeholders are currently being considered and a report on the consultation will be issued by the end of May 2009. The consultation paper can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/11/20140003/1.

Both these consultations have as part of their aim the need to improve funding for those from disadvantaged backgrounds who wish to study courses of higher education. In addition, The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) is responsible for allocation of Scottish Government funding for widening access initiatives. The SFC makes specific grant allocations to universities for widening access initiatives and also funds four regional widening access forums which are responsible for the management and delivery of collaborative widening access initiatives within their regions. Information on the widening access initiatives undertaken by the Scottish Widening Access Regional Forums can be found at www.swarf.ac.uk.

The alcohol framework for action does not undermine the work of the violence against women sector. The framework discusses the link between alcohol and violence, but does not specifically refer to domestic abuse. The Scottish Government is clear that the relationship between alcohol and crime, particularly violent crime and antisocial behaviour, is strong. Homicide (the most serious violent crime) statistics for 2007-08, published in December 2008, show that 45% of the 148 persons accused in homicide cases were reported to have been drunk or on drugs at the time of the incident.

In relation to domestic abuse, The Scottish Government recognises that alcohol misuse can exacerbate the problem but is not an underlying cause. However, it is acknowledged that alcohol can be a contributing factor or used as an excuse by perpetrators of the crime. The relationship between alcohol and domestic abuse is complex, but where domestic abuse exists, alcohol is often present. A 2003 Home Office study into domestic violence found that in 62% of cases alcohol was present, while almost half (48%) convicted for domestic violence were alcohol dependent. It concluded that alcohol may be a distinguishing factor in domestic violence offenders.

The purchasing of additional or replacement vehicles is only undertaken in order to ensure that the Scottish Government and its agencies have access to a safe and reliable fleet to support the efficient delivery of government business. Decisions about the timing of the purchase of vehicles are taken following full consideration of the operational needs of individual business areas and to protect the health and safety of staff and the public.

Proposals to connect small scale wind turbines are considered by the relevant Distribution Network Operator, who will, where appropriate, in conjunction with National Grid Electricity Transmission plc, the operator of the national grid, assess the impact of connection, based on its maximum output on the grid.

Proposals which are considered to impact significantly on the UK grid network are made a connection offer, which is subject to grid reinforcement having been carried out by the relevant Distribution Network Operator.

Given this assessment, I am advised that, once appropriate grid reinforcement is complete, National Grid Electricity Transmission would be able to accept generation, without the need for restrictions, on small scale wind turbines.

Tackling domestic abuse and other forms of gender-based violence is a vital priority for this government which is why we have allocated £44 million over the financial period 2008-11 to support the agenda.

The Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) is one of our key partners in taking this work forward. Government officials meet regularly with the VRU to discuss progress addressing gender based violence, including the implementation of the National Domestic Abuse Delivery Plan for Children and Young People. Most recently, from December 2008 to January 2009, the VRU ran a campaign of co-ordinated police action aimed at reducing the levels of domestic abuse in Scotland. The campaign launch took place a few weeks before the launch of the government''s Annual Domestic Abuse Campaign. Officials from the VRU worked closely with the government''s Violence Against Women Team to ensure we maximised the impact of these initiatives.