Seòmar agus comataidhean

Licensing boards have been made aware of the Adult Entertainment Working Group report. It is for them to choose which of the recommendations to apply in light of local circumstances. Such an approach does not limit what the local licensing board may wish to do and allows a tougher regime to be pursued if this is considered appropriate.

Later this year, the Government will take the opportunity to remind Licensing Boards of the range of possible conditions when we update the statutory guidance under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.

In line with the Adult Entertainment Working Group recommendation that the Scottish Executive should develop a co-ordinated strategic approach to the issue of gender based exploitation, a cross-government group has been formed to ensure a cohesive approach in addressing gender-based violence both within the government and in our work with the National Group on Violence against Women, local government and other public bodies.

No temporary changes have been made since the appointment of the new chief executive. The chief executive is currently considering future senior management responsibilities in consultation with the Permanent Secretary.

The licensing of premises providing adult entertainment is a matter for local licensing boards to deal with as they consider local circumstances demand. Boards are required by the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 to establish and maintain a Statement of Licensing Policy, which must be published. The Scottish Government does not seek to compare the statements developed by individual boards.

The Scottish Government does not hold the information on a monthly basis. The current administration collates and publishes statistics on parliamentary questions on a quarterly basis, as did the previous administration. The audits for each quarter since 1 January 2001 can be found in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

No. The Scottish Government does not invest resources outside the public sector and does not deposit funds in offshore accounts.

Piracy is an offence at common law. The maximum penalty on conviction on indictment is accordingly life imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. The Merchant Shipping and Maritime Security Act 1997 also incorporates provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea defining piracy, and is relevant where the acts occur outwith Scottish territorial waters. Hijacking of aircraft is dealt with by section 1 of the Aviation Security Act 1982, the maximum penalty on conviction on indictment being life imprisonment.

The Scottish Government, including its Executive Agencies, do not invest resources outside the public sector. Bodies sponsored by the Scottish Government, essentially non-departmental public bodies, are not permitted to make investments of a speculative nature.

Scottish ministers have no record of any contact with Oakholdings plc since May 2007.

The Scottish Government is taking part in the Carbon Trust''s Carbon Management Programme to help ensure it achieves an 80% reduction in emissions from its business activities by 2050. The following interim targets have been set:

Contributing to the reduction in CO₂ emissions caused by energy use in SG buildings by 12.6% from 1999-2000 levels by March 2011 building to a 30% reduction by March 2020;

Contributing to the reduction in carbon emissions from travel necessary for the Scottish Government''s administrative operations by 20% by March 2011 against 2005-06 levels building to a 40% reduction by March 2020, and

Identifying a range of carbon reduction projects to be incorporated into the five-year facilities projects plan by May 2009.

A range of energy saving measures has been implemented or is underway as follows:

St Andrew''s House

Lighting not currently included in the refurbishment projects has been re-lamped with improved efficiency tri-phosphor tubes.

Victoria Quay

(1) Upgrading of localised air conditioning systems, including the replacement of R22 gas systems.

(2) Upgrading of building management system.

(3) Retro-fitting of inverter drives to pump motors.

(4) On-going upgrade of whole building lighting system with reduced energy consumption (T5) tubes and day light harvesting. This project will achieve a 2.76% reduction towards our overall reduction in carbon emissions.

Saughton House

(1) Refurbishment of toilet and washroom facilities including installation of sensor controlled taps, lavatories and urinals.

(2) Rolling refurbishments programme with improved lighting systems with reduced energy consumption (T5) tubes and sensor controls.

(3) Lighting not currently included in the refurbishment projects has been re-lamped with improved efficiency tri-phosphor tubes.

Longman House

Boiler conversion from oil to gas.

Governor''s House

New condensing boiler and heating pumps fitted with improved heating controls and ventilation.

Cameron House

Ground Floor Refurbishment“ lighting and addition of gas boiler conversion from all electric system, thermal upgrade increased with insulation on Ground floor.

Cadzow Court

Refurbishment of lighting system with improved fittings and sensor control.

Meridian Court

Upgrade of building management system with new control strategies and floor by floor sub-metering.

Across the main buildings in the Scottish Government estate we are planning to introduce improved building management systems. This will allow us to monitor better the efficiencies of on-going energy saving projects and provide information about where further improvements are required.

The Scottish Government will build on the success of the National Conversation so far by making sure that the people of Scotland have the opportunity to debate the options for constitutional change set out in Choosing Scotland''s Future before reaching a decision in a referendum to be held in 2010. I shall outline plans for that process at the appropriate time.