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Tuesday 1 November 2016 SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT Communities Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on providing access to adapted vehicles to people with xeroderma pigmentosum who are reliant on them, regardless of their care component rating. Holding answer issued: 27 October 2016 (S5W-3313) Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government has set out plans to continue to work with Motability, the independent charity that provides vehicles to recipients of qualifying disability benefits, to ensure the scheme can continue to operate in Scotland when powers over disability benefits are devolved. The Scottish Government is currently consulting on its approach to Social Security in Scotland. However, until the necessary legislation and delivery mechanisms are in place, the United Kingdom Government will continue to set the qualifying criteria for disability benefits. Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will categorise xeroderma pigmentosum as a genetic DNA repair disorder, as opposed to a skin condition, to enable people with the condition to claim middle rate Disability Living Allowance. Holding answer issued: 27 October 2016 (S5W-3314) Jeane Freeman: While we will have powers over disability benefits in the future, the Scottish Government does not yet have the power to amend the qualifying criteria for Disability Living Allowance. We are consulting on our approach to Social Security in Scotland. However, until the necessary legislation and delivery mechanisms are in place, the UK Government will continue to set the qualifying criteria for disability benefits. Enterprise & Environment Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the availability of its data on (a) the balance of trade and (b) (i) primary and (ii) secondary incomes. Holding answer issued: 25 October 2016 (S5W-3223) Keith Brown: The Scottish Government produces a broad range of economic statistics. All statistics are subject to quality assurance of data and results at the time of production, and the methods used and availability of source data are regularly reviewed to ensure continuous improvement. (a) Estimates of exports and imports (the balance of trade) for the onshore Scottish economy are published as part of the Quarterly National Accounts Scotland (Table G) and annual Supply and Use Tables statistics releases. The latest results can be accessed at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/QNA2016Q1 and http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/Input-Output. The Scottish Government is also developing statistics on the imports and exports of oil and gas from Scottish Adjacent Waters. The latest results can be accessed at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/oilgas. In addition to estimates of the balance of trade, detailed statistics on exports are also published in the annual Export Statistics Scotland publication. This can be accessed at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/Exports/ESSPublication. (b) The Scottish Government publishes estimates of the balances of primary and secondary incomes for the Households and Non-Profit Institutions Serving Households (NPISH) sector as part of the Quarterly National Accounts Scotland statistics release. This information is used in the calculation of Gross Disposable Household Income (GDHI). The latest results can be accessed in Table I of the Quarterly National Accounts Scotland at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/QNA2016Q1. (i) Estimates of the primary income flows for all sectors of the economy (Government and Corporations) are required for the calculation of Gross National Income (GNI). The Scottish Government published an initial overview of development work on the production of GNI estimates in November 2013, including provisional results for 2010. This work can be accessed at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/snap. (ii) The Scottish Government does not currently produce estimates of secondary income flows (transfers of income), other than for the Household and NPISH sector. Linda Fabiani (East Kilbride) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26366, what the estimated cost is of the roll-out of smart meters to every household. Holding answer issued: 27 October 2016 (S5W-3299) Paul Wheelhouse: This information is not held centrally. Energy is a matter reserved to the UK Government who have responsibility for the policy, regulatory and commercial framework that underpins the roll-out of smart metering. The UK Government’s latest Impact Assessment published in January 2014 reports an expected small bill increase in the short term, and it is estimated, by Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), that this peaked at an average increase of around £6 per household in 2015. The Impact Assessment is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/276656/smart_meter_ro ll_out_for_the_domestic_and_small_and_medium_and_non_domestic_sectors.pdf Given delays to the Data Communication Company since publication of the Impact Assessment, the Scottish Government has called for the calculations to be reviewed and an updated cost / benefits analysis to be published. John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government how often it meets the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and what the date was of the most recent meeting. (S5W-3566) Roseanna Cunningham: The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform last had a meeting with the Chair of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority on 25 October 2016. We aim for these meetings to occur annually. Scottish Government officials meet frequently with Nuclear Decommissioning Authority staff. John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the possible environmental and safety risks, what assessment it has made of the implications of the transport of enriched uranium from Dounreay to the USA and the upgrade of Wick John O’Groats Airport to handle this, and what discussions it had had with (a) the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, (b) The Highland Council and (c) The Moray Council regarding this. (S5W-3567) Roseanna Cunningham: Nuclear materials stored at Dounreay are owned by the UK Government. The transportation of nuclear materials is a reserved matter. Before any move, there is robust consideration of safety and security, involving as appropriate Scottish agencies including Police Scotland and SEPA. The Scottish Government has been kept regularly informed of progress with the programme of movements of nuclear materials from Dounreay. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, which is responsible to Scottish and UK Ministers for their activities in Scotland, carry out a thorough programme of stakeholder communication ahead of any moves. John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to help establish national nature reserves. (S5W-3634) Roseanna Cunningham: The establishment of National Nature Reserves (NNRs) is a matter for Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Proposals for the establishment of NNRs should be made by the owners and/or managers of the land in question to the National Nature Reserve Partnership (administered by SNH). Further information is available via the following web link: http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/national-designations/nnr/ John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what criteria are used in determining suitability for national nature reserve designation. (S5W-3635) Roseanna Cunningham: In summary, to be considered for the National Nature Reserve accolade a site will: 1. Be nationally important for one or preferably a range of natural features. 2. Be very well managed to ensure the continuity and, where necessary, the enhancement of these features in the long term. 3. Be suitable for presentation or demonstration of these features in an appropriate way to the public. 4. Be likely to inspire people to value and enjoy Scotland’s natural environment. Criteria for the selection of National Nature Reserves are published and available via the following web link: http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A1576100.pdf John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what role Scottish Natural Heritage plays in the identification of areas suitable for designation as national nature reserves. (S5W-3636) Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-03634 on 1 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the implications of Brexit on (a) local and (b) national nature reserves. (S5W-3637) Roseanna Cunningham: At present there are no apparent implications of Brexit on (a) local and (b) national nature reserves. Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to
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