- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 February 2008
-
Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 12 March 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from (a) MSPs, (b) pigeon owners and (c) other interested parties in relation to undertaking a pilot translocation scheme for removing sparrowhawks from the vicinity of pigeon lofts.
Answer
The Scottish Government has received representations in favour of a sparrowhawk translocation scheme from Alex Neil MSP and from the Scottish Homing Union. We have discussed the scheme with the RSPB, the Scottish Raptor Study Groups and the Scottish Society for the Protection of Animals. These three groups have expressed their opposition to the scheme.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
-
Date lodged: Friday, 15 February 2008
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 12 March 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact it expects the development of an east coast interconnector, based on the model proposed in East Coast Transmission Network: Technical Feasibility Study, to have on the economy.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9937 on 12 March 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/webapp/wa.search.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
-
Date lodged: Friday, 15 February 2008
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 12 March 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact it expects the development of an east coast interconnector, based on the model proposed in East Coast Transmission Network: Technical Feasibility Study, to have on the Highlands and Islands economy.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9937 on 12 March 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/webapp/wa.search.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
-
Date lodged: Friday, 15 February 2008
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 12 March 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to take forward planning for an east coast interconnector following the publication of the East Coast Transmission Network: Technical Feasibility Study.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9937 on 12 March 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/webapp/wa.search.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
-
Date lodged: Friday, 15 February 2008
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 12 March 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers intend to meet the Crown Estate following the publication of East Coast Transmission Network: Technical Feasibility Study and, if so, when.
Answer
Scottish ministers expect to meet with The Crown Estate in the near future.
Scottish Government officials met with The Crown Estate in December 2007 to discuss a range of issues, including their East Coast Transmission Network study. We will remain in close contact with The Crown Estate on all offshore renewables issues.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
-
Date lodged: Friday, 15 February 2008
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 12 March 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact it expects the development of an east coast interconnector, based on the model proposed in East Coast Transmission Network: Technical Feasibility Study, to have on unlocking Scotland’s renewables potential.
Answer
We read the Crown Estate report with interest and believe it provides a useful contribution to our discussions with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and other stakeholders on future grid development.
The Scottish Government recognises that further grid reinforcements will be necessary if we are to exploit Scotland''s potential for renewable energy, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, where much of the resource lies. This could bring significant economic benefits to the region and the whole of Scotland.
The Scottish Government is also working with BERR on a strategic environmental assessment for offshore wind. This will include the deep waters of Scotland''s renewable energy zone where there is significant potential for development.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
-
Date lodged: Friday, 15 February 2008
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 12 March 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will discuss East Coast Transmission Network: Technical Feasibility Study, when it next meets Ofgem.
Answer
The Scottish Government is involved in discussions with Ofgem on a number of issues, including the urgent need to secure fairer transmission charging and access to the grid in order to encourage renewables development in Scotland.
We are also in contact with Ofgem and BERR about the longer term role of sub-sea transmission in harnessing the potential of offshore renewables and achieving economic benefits.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
-
Date lodged: Friday, 15 February 2008
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 12 March 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of East Coast Transmission Network: Technical Feasibility Study.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9937 on 12 March 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/webapp/wa.search.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 February 2008
-
Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 4 March 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to ensure that any barriers to the development of anaerobic digestion projects are identified so that plans can be made to overcome them.
Answer
The Scottish Government is keen to encourage the development of anaerobic digestion projects in Scotland. Any barriers would vary depending in particular on the size and location of the plant and the nature of the feedstock. However, anaerobic digestion is one of the processes on which the Scottish Government has engaged the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to provide advice on potential obstacles and how these may be overcome.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 February 2008
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 4 March 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what the roles of the local Offices will be in the new VisitScotland region into which VisitOrkney will be absorbed under the reorganisation of VisitScotland, outlining the work carried out in each local office.
Answer
This is an operational matter for VisitScotland and I have asked the Chief Executive to write to you on this matter.
