Tuesday 24 January 2012

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

Governance and Communities Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive how changes in policy since the publication of the National Planning Framework for Scotland 2 will be considered at any public inquiry associated with the decision-making process for applications for new electricity generation stations that are also national developments. (S4W-04948) Derek Mackay: This will be a decision for the Inquiry Reporter.

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive whether inclusion of a project as a national development in the National Planning Framework for Scotland 2 establishes the need for that development where the primary project consent required is not a planning consent and what the reasons are for its position on this matter. (S4W-04949) Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive what legal mechanisms would establish the need for a project listed in the National Planning Framework for Scotland 2 where the primary project consent required is not a planning consent. (S4W-04950) Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the need for a project listed in the National Planning Framework for Scotland 2 can be established where the primary consent for a project is made under legislation that is reserved and what the reasons are for its position on this matter. (S4W-04952) Derek Mackay: Section 3A of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 makes provision for ministers to designate certain developments as “national developments” in the National Planning Framework. If the National Planning Framework contains such a designation, it must contain a statement by Scottish Ministers of their reasons for considering that there is a need for the development in question. Section 25 of the 1997 act makes provision as to how such statements are to be applied when determining a planning application. In relation to other consent procedures there is no similar statutory provision, however, ministers’ reasons for considering that there is a need for a development should be given equivalent status in reaching a decision.

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances consideration of need could be excluded from the remit of a public local inquiry into a proposed project where the primary project consent is not a planning consent. (S4W-04951) Derek Mackay: Once a development is designated as a national development in the National Planning Framework, the policy setting out the “need” for it will not normally be a matter for further consideration in any inquiry associated with an application for consent.

John Scott (Ayr) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to abolish the Home Report system. (S4W-04972) Keith Brown: There are no plans to abolish the Home Report system. The Scottish Government believes that the benefits of Home Reports remain valid, particularly in encouraging buyers to make confident decisions in a difficult market.

Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent in each year since 1999 on (a) security and (b) rent for properties not in use. (S4W-04976) John Swinney: The Scottish Ministers have no property not in use from 1999 to 2004. Jeanfield House, Perth was vacated by the Scottish Ministers in 2004. There have been no rental payments made on Jeanfield House. Security costs are as follows: Year Cost 2004 4,537.50 2005 4,262.50 2006 4,425.20 2007 3,199.65 2008 4,802.90 2009 4,999.00 2010 5,603.10 2011 5,656.90 Total 37,486.75

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects to deliver its commitment that all unintentionally homeless people will have the right to settled accommodation by 2012. (S4W-05015) Keith Brown: The Scottish Government at its parties remain committed and are on course to achieve the 2012 homelessness commitment. Current statistics show that 88% of applications are being accorded priority need by local authorities, representing steady progress towards the target. The next statistical bulletin is due to be published on 14 February 2012.

Health and Social Care Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether and, if so, when it will match in Scotland the publication in England of prescription data by GP practice, which is available to download via the NHS Information Centre. Holding answer issued: 16 January 2012 (S4W-04631) Nicola Sturgeon: In Scotland national prescribing data is collated and published by the Information Services Division (ISD) of NHS National Services Scotland. ISD already provide more detailed prescribing information on a monthly basis to NHS boards, Community Health Partnerships (CHPs) and GP practices via an NHS web-based system. This is further supplemented by NHS boards who analyse the data, identify prescribing trends and variations and provide GPs practices with tailored data and support in order to ensure cost effective prescribing. More detailed prescribing data by GP practice is also available from ISD on request via the Information Request Service. In addition, ISD publishes detailed prescription cost analysis data for the whole of Scotland annually together with higher level summaries on a quarterly basis. The prescription data currently published in England consists of a data file containing a list of medicines and costs per GP practice and requires specialist data-handling software to allow it to be interpreted. It is part of the UK Government’s wide ranging commitment to publish key data on health, schools, criminal courts and transport. In Scotland, our approach to publication of information is to ensure that this is done in a way which is sensitive to both patient and prescriber confidentiality and is useful and informative to users. ISD have a NHS data warehouse which supports systems to record, validate and report prescribing data to the NHS. In addition, the Chief Scientist Office is working to create a world leading system of data linkage in order to evaluate healthcare interventions and services, provide drug safety surveillance, advance research and to drive economic growth.

Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many inpatient beds there were in NHS Lanarkshire in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011 and how many there are now, broken down by (i) specialism and (ii) hospital. (S4W-04966) Nicola Sturgeon: Average available staffed beds in NHS Lanarkshire by specialty and location for the quarters ending 31 March 2010 to 30 September 2011 are provided in the following table. Table 1 - Average Available Staffed Beds1 in NHS Lanarkshire by specialty: Quarters Ending 31 March 2010 to 30 September 2011

Quarter Ending: Specialtiy Mar-10 Jun-10 Sep-10 Dec-10 Mar-11 Jun-11 Sep-11 All specialties 2,477 2,450 2,445 2,448 2,385 2,304 2,288 Accident and Emergency 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 Anaesthetics 31 31 32 32 30 29 28 Cardiology 31 31 31 33 33 32 31 Communicable Diseases 17 16 17 17 15 15 15 Dermatology 13 16 11 9 10 9 9 Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) 18 20 18 22 20 20 20 Forensic Psychiatry 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 General Medicine 432 404 413 418 430 401 397 General Psychiatry 201 201 200 200 203 196 196 General Surgery 214 219 213 207 195 188 186 Geriatric Medicine 680 671 680 661 620 595 589 GP Other than Obstetrics 95 94 94 99 95 90 90 Gynaecology 13 12 13 13 10 10 10 Haematology 13 15 16 16 23 18 18 Learning Disability 9 9 9 9 9 9 12 Medical Oncology 1 1 0 - - - - Medical Paediatrics 68 68 67 68 66 63 62 Nephrology 15 14 14 16 13 11 11 Obstetrics 72 79 76 74 71 69 68 Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 8 10 8 6 4 4 4 Orthopaedics 146 146 142 136 128 125 124 Palliative Medicine 30 30 30 48 48 48 47 Psychiatry of Old Age 317 316 315 315 318 328 326 Rheumatology 2 3 3 2 3 4 4 Urology 36 30 29 36 26 25 25

Table 2 - Average Available Staffed Beds1 in NHS Lanarkshire; by location: Quarters Ending 31 March 2010 to 30 September 2011 Quarter Ending: Specialty Mar-10 Jun-10 Sep-10 Dec-10 Mar-11 Jun-11 Sep-11 All locations 2,477 2,450 2,445 2,448 2,385 2,304 2,288 Airbles Road Centre 27 27 26 26 27 27 26 Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 Caird House 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 Carrickstone House and Day Hospital 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 Quarter Ending: Specialty Mar-10 Jun-10 Sep-10 Dec-10 Mar-11 Jun-11 Sep-11 31 31 30 30 31 31 30 45 45 45 45 44 43 43 Cumbernauld Nursing Home 52 52 52 52 52 52 51 Hairmyres Hospital 503 491 497 481 468 444 441 Hartwoodhill Hospital 73 73 72 72 73 73 72 Hatton Lea Nursing Home 90 90 90 90 91 90 89 22 22 24 25 23 22 22 9 9 9 9 9 9 12 Lady Home Cottage Hospital 25 25 24 25 23 22 22 Lockhart Hospital 31 30 30 32 33 30 30 Monklands District General Hospital 533 523 514 533 525 498 494 Parksprings Care Centre 49 50 50 52 34 33 33 Roadmeetings Hospital 34 34 34 34 33 31 31 St Andrew's Hospice 36 36 36 32 32 32 32 40 40 40 40 39 37 37 108 108 108 108 106 115 115 Victoria Memorial Cottage Hospital 17 17 17 17 17 16 16 57 51 58 58 56 53 53 Wishaw General Hospital 628 631 623 621 604 579 573 Source: ISD Scotland, ISD(S)1. Note: 1. Includes beds for use by NHS patients that are located in non-NHS locations e.g. joint-user and contractual hospitals. There has been a noticeable reduction in the completeness of ISD(S)1 returns sent from NHS Lanarkshire in 2011. This is mainly due to the implementation of a new patient management system (TrakCare). In all cases where data is missing, the previous complete month of data was used as an estimate. The figures for quarter ending March 2011 to quarter ending September 2011 may be subject to revision once the complete data becomes available. Further details are available from the December 2011 Acute Hospital Activity Publication on the ISD website, see following link http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Hospital-Care/. Information for the quarter ending December 2011 will be published on the ISD website on 27 March 2012.

Learning and Justice Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what schools were included in Aberdeenshire Council’s submission to the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) for funding under the Scotland's Schools for the Future programme. (S4W-05018) Michael Russell: In their submission to the first phase of the Scotland’s Schools for the Future building programme, Aberdeenshire Council requested funding from the Scottish Government for the replacement of Mearns and Ellon Academies. With regard to the next phase of the programme, a short term working group, comprising representatives from the Scottish Government, the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland and the SFT, has been set up to consider the way forward with regard to criteria and any bidding process. We expect to be able to provide more information with regard to the considerations of the group shortly. Aberdeenshire Council will, of course, be invited to make a bid when it is appropriate to do so.

Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive which Aberdeenshire schools the Scottish Futures Trust has approved for funding under the Scotland's Schools for the Future programme. (S4W-05019) Michael Russell: The Scottish Government has approved funding under the Scotland’s Schools for the Future building programme for the replacement of Ellon Academy and Mearns Academy.

Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated to each Aberdeenshire school receiving funding under the Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme. (S4W-05020) Michael Russell: The Scottish Government will provide of up to £19.76 million of funding for the replacement of Ellon Academy and up to £9.73 million for the replacement of Mearns Academy under the Scotland’s Schools for the Future building programme. However, the final level of funding for both projects will be adjusted to take account of any movements in inflation between 1 April 2011 and tender return date, using the BCIS All-in Tender Price Index.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review any guidance that it has made available to local authorities in relation to setting (a) kinship and (b) foster carer allowance.

(S4W-05025) Aileen Campbell: There are no current plans to review the guidance that is made available to local authorities in relation to setting a kinship and foster care allowance.

John Scott (Ayr) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times police officers have raided domestic homes in error since 2007.

(S4W-05036) Kenny MacAskill: The information requested is not held centrally.

Strategy and External Affairs Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have spoken at a conference since 7 May 2011; what the topic of their contribution was; who (a) organised and (b) sponsored the conference, and what payment they received. Holding answer issued: 9 December 2011 (S4W-04190) John Swinney: Ministers have spoken at the following conferences since 7 May 2011: Alex Salmond MSP First Minister Organiser (If different to Date Description Sponsor Sponsor) Topic National Economic Scottish Opening Address 22-June Forum Government Post address Q&A Scottish Low Main Sponsors: Edinburgh Generation to consumption, Scotland's Low Carbon Investment RBS & Scottish Chamber of Carbon Ambitions and Challenge to Industry 27-Sept Conference Enterprise. Commerce in 2010. Reflection on last 12 months

Fiona Hyslop MSP Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Topic Internationalisation and 22-June National Economic Forum Scottish Government Increasing Exports 16-Sept Collaborating to Compete Conference Museums Galleries Scotland Culture Network of International Development Network of International Organisations in Scotland on Media and Development Organisations 28-Sept International Development in Scotland International Development Microsoft/University of 7-Nov "Gov" Camp Edinburgh Digital Participation UNESCO Remote Access to World 23-Nov Heritage Conference UNESCO Heritage

Michael Russell MSP Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Topic Improving Life Chances for Big Picture Event and Scottish Scotland's Children and Young 28-June Learning Festival Scottish Government People 25-Aug Education Scotland Conference Education Scotland Opening Address ISCO (Independent Schools 8-Sept The Inspiring Futures Foundation Careers Service) Opening Address Headmasters and Headmasters and 5-Oct Headmistresses Conference Headmistresses Conference Excellence not Privilege Current and developing issues affecting progression routes from Progression to HE in Scotland schools and colleges to Higher 1-Nov Conference UCAS Education (HE) in Scotland. Association of Headteachers and 4-Nov Deputies Conference AHDS Opening Address

John Swinney MSP Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth Organiser (If different Date Description Sponsor/Organiser to Sponsor) Topic Empowering Scotland: Maximising the Potential of Public Assets for Low 21-June Carbon Energy SCDI Policy Overview Increasing Employment in Scotland’s Small 22-June National Economic Forum Scottish Government Businesses 25-Aug SG/SOLACE SOLACE Opening Address Centre for Economic Welfare to Work Convention and Social 5-Sep Welfare to Work Convention Scotland Inclusion Key Note Speech Youth Unemployment in 20-Sep Holyrood Holyrood Conference Scotland 31-Oct Voluntary Action Scotland Voluntary Action Scotland Not Known 1-Nov Audit Scotland Staff Audit Scotland Key Note Speech Cairngorms Business 18-Nov Cairngorms Business Partnership Partnership Joint Address Federation of Small 19-Nov New Start Scotland Businesses Opening Address 24-Nov SLAED Annual Conference Dinner SLAED Keynote Speech

Nicola Sturgeon MSP Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy

Organiser (If different to Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Sponsor) Topic Organiser (If different to Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Sponsor) Topic Alzheimer Scotland - Dementia Alzheimers/ 6-June Awareness Week Alzheimer Scotland Dementia 22-June National Economic Forum Scottish Government Cities Strategy National Conference on Organ Scottish 23-June Donation Scottish Transplant Group Government Organ Donation International Epidemiological International Epidemiological 11-Aug Association World Congress Association Public Health Long Term Conditions Long Term 13-Sep Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland Conditions Scottish Women's Association - Domestic 14-Sep Domestic Violence Scottish Womens' Aid Violence 21-Sep Inspiring Inclusions Inspiring Inclusions Equalities 28-Sep Holyrood Cities Holyrood Conferences Cities Strategy Scottish Low Carbon Investment Edinburgh Chamber of 28-Sep Conference Commerce Cities Strategy 30-Sep UNISON UNISON Health Workforce Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE) Hot Topic Medical 4-Oct Symposium RCPE Workforce Long Term 5-Oct Pain Association Pain Association Scotland Conditions Scottish Older People's Scottish Older People's 25-Oct Assembly Assembly Older People Holyrood 27-Oct Holyrood Care of Older People Age Scotland Conferences Older People Royal College of Nursing (RCN) 3-Nov Policy Seminar RCN Health Workforce Glasgow West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations 11-Nov (GWSFHA) GWSFHA Housing Policy Equalities/Care 15-Nov STUC Womens' Conference STUC Services 17-Nov Stonewall Conference Stonewall Equalities 18-Nov Scottish Care Conference Scottish Care Care Services

Alex Neil MSP Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment

Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Topic Key Priorities for Economic Growth 22-June National Economic Forum Scottish Government Over the Coming Term Issues and Challenges for Keppie Design, Currie and NHSScotland in Delivering its 21-Sep Building a Healthier Scotland Brown, Ramboll Investment Programme. Scottish Government’s commitment to ensuring that public sector investments in ICT deliver best value for money, and that they support new ways of improving Scottish Conference on the and delivering public services in 22-Sep McClelland Review Socitm Scotland the years ahead. Scotland’s unique opportunity to WATER UK Investing in build a hydro nation and manage 28-Sep Infrastructure Water UK water to drive its economy. Federation of Small Businesses and Scottish Scottish Government's Strategy for Council for Development and Growth and Support for Small 01-Oct National Business Convention Industry (SCDI) Businesses Financing Scotland’s Future 04-Oct Scottish Futures Trust Scottish Futures Trust Infrastructure 07-Oct Transport Scotland Staff Transport Scotland Going Forward 25-Oct National Procurement Scottish Government Procurement is on the front line – Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Topic making real differences to real people Council of Mortgage Lenders 26-Oct Scotland (CML) CML Housing 03-Nov Energy Action Scotland Energy Action Scotland Tackling Fuel Poverty The importance of structural funds European Structural Funds in supporting Scottish Government 15-Nov Annual Publicity Event European Structural Funds strategic priorities Community Development Alliance Scotland Annual Community Development Community Development – at the 22-Nov Conference Alliance Scotland (CDAS) Centre of the Action

Kenny MacAskill MSP Cabinet Secretary for Justice Organiser (If different to Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Sponsor) Topic Association of Scottish 27-May ASPS Police Superintendents Policing Association of Chief Police Officers in 2-June ACPOS Scotland Policing Lothian & Borders Police Force Lothian and Borders Future of Policing in 14-June Leadership Police Scotland 27-June Anti-Illicit Trade Symposium PA Consulting Anti-Illicit Trade 29-Aug International Summit on Policing Scottish Government Welcome Address National Black Police 5-Oct National Black Police Association Association Policing Site Security and Construction Private Security 11-Oct Industry Strathclyde Police Industry Justice System in a 13-Oct Justice Leaders Scottish Government Modern Scotland European Organisation European Organisation of Prison of Prison and Scottish Prison Prisons/Welcome 18-Oct and Correctional Services Correctional Services Service Address Wise Group "Routes out of 26-Oct Prison" Wise Group Reducing Reoffending Prison Officer's Association Prison Officer's 26-Oct Scotland Association Prison Staff Conditions Association of Association of Directors of Social Directors of Social 27-Oct Work Criminal Justice Work Criminal Justice Bethany Christian Trust Bethany Christian Improving Outcomes 28-Oct Exchange 11 Trust for Ex Offenders International Day Against Hate National Union of 28-Oct Crime Vigil Students Scotland Hate Crime Scottish Association The impact of Europe Scottish Association for the for the Study of on Criminal Justice in 19-Nov Study of Offending Offending Scotland

Richard Lochhead MSP Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Topic Royal Society for Protection Royal Society for 21-June Birds Protection Birds Environmental Policy and Biodiversity 31-Aug LEADER Conference LEADER LEADER & Rural Communities Importance of Supermarkets in Scottish 7-Sep Asda Asda Food and Drink Scottish Food and Drink Scottish Food and Innovation being used for Growth in the 7-Sep Federation Drink Federation Food and Drink Industry Scottish Government support of Zero 21-Sep Zero waste Scotland Zero waste Scotland waste 30-Sep Nourish Nourish Culture of Food and Drink in Scotland Scottish Environmental 10-Nov Environmental Crime Summit Protection Agency Raising the Profile of Environmental Crime

Angela Constance MSP Minister for Children and Young People Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Topic Scottish Social Scottish Social Services Council: Services Council 3-Jun Care Accolades 2011 (SSSC) Care Accolades Children in Europe –Improving 6-Jun Services for 0-3s Children In Scotland Improving Services for 0-3s Association or Directors of Social Association or Directors 9-Jun Work Event of Social Work Social Work 24-Jun Safe Hub Scotland COSLA Domestic Abuse Save The Children Conference - 28-Jun Governance Fit for Children COSLA Governance Supporting Parents All They Can 28-Jun Be event Children's First National Parenting Strategy Adoption UK 40th Anniversary 06-Sep Event Adoption UK Adoption Adult Literacy’s in Scotland 2020 - The Strategy so far: International 08-Sep Literacy Day 2011 Education Scotland Adult Literacy’s Changing Lives the impact of 09-Sep Adult Learning in West Lothian West Lothian Council Adult Learning Children's Services Stakeholder 20-Sep Event Scottish Government Children's Services Aspirations for Children and Young 22-Sep Scottish Learning Festival Education Scotland People Children’s Services Stakeholder Aspirations for Children and Young 27-Sep Event Scottish Government People 28-Sep The Power of Play Conference Play Scotland Play Children’s Services Stakeholder Aspirations for Children and Young 29-Sep Event Scottish Government People Scottish Traveller Scottish Travellers Education Education Programme 30-Sep Programme (STEP) (STEP) Scottish Traveller Education Programme

Shona Robison MSP Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Topic Physical Activity and Health 14-Jun Alliance Conference Health Scotland Physical Activity Scottish University 15-Jun Scottish University Sport Sport Sport and Physical Activity Sportscotland Athlete Personal 31-Aug Awards Sportscotland Launching Athlete Personal Awards Alcohol Focus 15-Sep Alcohol Focus Scotland Scotland Alcohol licensing Commonwealth Games, SSA Manifesto, Volunteering, Coaching, Community Scottish Sports Sports Hubs, Governing Bodies, Elite 20-Sep Scottish Sports Association AGM. Association (SSA) Athletes Scottish Disability 21-Sep Scottish Disability Sport AGM Sport Commonwealth Games, Disability Sport Winning Scotland Foundation 30-Sep Advisory Board Meeting Winning Scotland Sport and Physical Activity

Roseanna Cunningham MSP Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Topic Key Priorities for Law Reform, Relationship with the Legal Profession, Law Society of Developing opportunities for the legal 6-Sep Law in Scotland - One Profession Scotland services sector Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Topic Drugs Misuse in Scotland - Recovery, Scottish Families Affected by Scottish Families Funding, HEAT, Recovery Consortium, 1-Oct Drugs Affected by Drugs Naloxone Future Priorities for Community Scottish Community Future Priorities for Community Safety in 1-Nov Safety in Scotland Safety Network Scotland

Fergus Ewing MSP Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Topic Babcock International Group in conjunction Keynote Speech at Scottish with Fife Council and 26-May Renewables Energy Conference Carnegie College Renewables - offshore wind. The Committee consists of members of around 25 trade associations, CBI Scotland Trade representing a wide range of industrial & 20-Jul CBI Trade Association Committee Association Committee commercial sectors World Council of Credit 24-Jul World Council of Credit Unions Unions Credit Unions Industrial and Power Association in association with the UK Carbon Capture & UKCCSC & IPA Carbon Capture Storage Community Deploy commercial scale Carbon Capture 01-Sep and Storage Conference Network (UKCCSC) Storage Aberdeen and Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber Grampian Chamber of 06-Sep of Commerce Business Breakfast Commerce Securing safe, smart, sustainable supply Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation 08-Sep 9th World Plumbing Conference (SNIPEF) “Meeting the Global Challenge” Understand the key issues in the 12-Sep Construction Summit Scottish Government construction sector GP Wind Project Regional 13-Sep Stakeholders Workshop Scottish Government Develop and peer review theme studies International Association of 4th World Hydrogen Technologies Hydrogen Energy 14-Sep Convention (IAHE). Renewables to Hydrogen Opening of audio visual exhibition FOUNDATION Glasgow – the Story of a 19-Sep Registers of Scotland Conference Registers of Scotland City Scottish Renewables Annual 20-Sep Marine Conference Scottish Renewables Wave and tidal sector Scottish Low Carbon Investment Edinburgh Chamber of Bring projects, technologies and investors 28-Sep Conference Commerce together

Stewart Stevenson MSP Minister for Environment and Climate Change Organiser (If different to Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Sponsor) Topic European Forestry European Forestry 1-Jun European Forestry Forum Forum Forum 11-Jun Scottish Trade Union Congress Scottish Trade Union Scottish Trade Union Central Scotland Central Scotland Green 14-Jun Central Scotland Green Network Green Network Network Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Climate Change 23-Jun Adaptation Research Adaptation 28-Jun Young Scot Discussion Day Young Scot Opening words/welcome Importance of regional partnerships to deliver Central Scotland the Central Scotland 6-Sep Central Scotland Forest Forum Forest Trust Green Network Organiser (If different to Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Sponsor) Topic Importance of Supporting Students and Green Businesses in Environmental Placement Royal Society of Business Environmental 6-Sep Programme Awards Edinburgh Partnership Performance Various including The Clean Revolution: Moderator and Panellists and B4E Hitachi, Deloitte, CNN, Global Rethinking business 12-Sep Climate Summit Panel Discussion The Guardian Initiatives towards net Zero Goals Crofting Legislation and Scottish Crofting Federation Scottish Crofting Government support for 3-Oct Annual Gathering Federation Crofting The future of the Scottish Shellfish industry. Announcement of consultation into the Association of Scottish protection of shellfish 4-Oct Association of Shellfish Growers Shellfish Growers growing waters. Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) 2011 Climate Change 4-Oct Conference STUC Low Carbon Transition Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) International Year of Forestry Commission Importance of Trees, 5-Oct Forests Reception Scotland Woods and Forests British Agricultural and Garden Machinery SG Supports Rural 7-Oct CLIMMAR European Congress Organisation (BAGMA) Scotland Scottish Government through Main Research Providers: James Hutton Institute; Scottish Agricultural College; Moredun Research Institute; Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health; Focusing on Importance Agriculture and Climate Change - Royal Botanic Garden Scottish of Evidence Based 7-Oct Research into Policy Edinburgh; Government Policy To recognise KIMO’s international efforts to improve our marine environment and in particular their Fishing for Litter Initiative. To illustrate Scottish Government’s efforts to improve the marine environment, including renewing our support for KIMO (Kommunenes the Fishing for Litter Internasjonale Miljø KIMO (Kommunenes Initiative and promoting Organisasjon) -- International Internasjonale Miljø forthcoming Marine Litter 8-Oct AGM Organisasjon) Strategy consultation. Highlands & Islands Food and Highlands and Islands Caledonian Highlands & Islands 21-Oct Drink Awards 2011 Enterprise (HIE) Concepts LTD Food and Drink Road Safety Scotland Annual 26-Oct Dinner Road Safety Scotland Road Safety Scotland Importance of Scotland's 2-Nov SNH Reception SNH/Historic Scotland Protected Places Scottish Government Implementation of the Flooding Flood Risk Management 8-Nov Flooding Summit Scottish Government Team (Scotland) Act 2009. Scottish Coastal Developments in Marine 8-Nov Scottish Costal Forum Forum Planning The challenge - and National Grids - Getting Scotland National Grid (Stuart importance - of building 9-Nov Connected McMillan MSP hosted) an electricity Organiser (If different to Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Sponsor) Topic transmission network fit for a low carbon generation mix Importance of Science Science and the Parliament 2011 and Innovation for RSC (Royal Society of Chemistry) Royal Society of Sustainable Growth in 9-Nov President's Dinner Chemistry (RSC) Scotland Sustainable Scotland Network (Keep Political Leadership for 10-Nov Sustainable Scotland Conference Scotland Beautiful) Low-Carbon Economy Community Woodlands Community Woodlands Keynote/Opening 12-Nov Association Annual Conference Association Address Association of Deer SNH/ Forestry Management 14-Nov Lowland Deer Conference Commission Scotland Groups Deer management

Dr Alasdair Allan MSP Minister for Learning and Skills Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Topic Scotland's National Centre for Languages 8-Jun SCILT Conference (SCILT) Languages Deliver Closing Speech at 16-Jun Scotland's College's Conference Scotland's Colleges Colleges Attend General Teaching Council Scotland Standard for Full General Teaching 21-Jun Registration Awards day Council Scotland Teaching 28-Jun Big Picture Event Scottish Government Life Chances Scottish Government, PetroChallenge and STEM Central Education Scotland, 1-Sep launch OPITO Skills development and science Scottish Government, Worklessness & Health - Scottish Observatory 1-Sep Symposium Event for Work and Health Work and Health, including benefits Scottish Training Federation Scottish Training 13-Sep Annual Conference Federation What next for training in Scotland? Scotsman Conference: Scottish 21-Sep Universities - the next five years The Scotsman The future of Scotland's universities Language Committee of the Association for Association for Scottish Literacy Scottish Literacy 24-Sep Studies Committee Conference Studies Ministerial Working Group on Scots Feisean nan Gaidheal Annual 24-Sep Conference Feisean nan Gaidheal Gaelic in Scotland Learning by Volunteering - 28-Sep Promoting Excellence Scotland's Colleges Student volunteering Creative and Cultural 10-Oct Creative Futures Conference Skills Growing Scotland's creative economy Royal National Mod and the Scottish 14-Oct Mod Opening Ceremony Government Gaelic in Scotland Convention of the Highlands and 24-Oct Islands Scottish Government Gaelic in Scotland Scottish Government Religious and Moral Education and Education 2-Nov conference Authorities Religious and Moral Education in the curriculum Scottish Union Learning Scottish Union 9-Nov Conference - keynote speech Learning Workplace learning and trade union role in it 22-Nov Post-16 reform consultation event Scottish Government Post-16 reform in the college sector SG commitment to tackling fuel poverty and 24-Nov SCARF Awards Event SCARF improving energy efficiency

Keith Brown MSP Minister for Housing and Transport Organiser (If different to Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Sponsor) Topic Chartered Institute of Strathclyde Chartered Institute of Logistics and Logistics and Partnership for A new era for transport and 2-Jun Transport Young Professionals Transport Transport logistics Discuss the challenges faced in delivering the Government’s strategy and action plan for housing as set out in “Homes 15-Jun Holyrood Housing 2011 Holyrood Events Fit for the 21st Century”. 21-Jun High Speed Rail MacKay Hannah Making the case for Scotland Connect to Compete -Transport Focus on the transport user 9-Sep Summit 2011 Herald Times Group and the experience Confederation of Passenger Confederation of 13-Sep Transport Passenger Transport Delivering dependability Meet Scotland's housing Scottish Federation of Housing Scottish Federation of associations and co- 22-Sep Associations Housing Associations operatives An efficient and effective transport system is a key enabler to delivery of the International Scottish Government’s Association of overarching purpose of International Association of Transport achieving sustainable 27-Sep Transport Professionals Professionals economic growth. Veterans Scotland Annual General Launch the Veterans Assist 29-Sep Meeting Veterans Scotland Scotland e-portal Scottish Churches 30-Sep Scottish Churches Housing Action Housing Action 2012 Homelessness Target Focus on issues affecting community transport including sustaining community transport services, rights and Community Transport equality and service delivery 4-Oct Community Transport Association Association in the current financial climate Reach out to a broader range of stakeholders and to take a fresh look at the way in which National Health Service Scotland National Health the work of the group might 4-Oct Armed Forces Service Scotland focus in the future Scottish Housing and To improve the quality and Support Planning provision of housing and 5-Oct Scottish Housing and Support Group support in Scotland Opportunity for parking British Parking Association British Parking professionals to see the latest 25-Oct Scotland Association developments in the sector Freight Transport Freight Transport Association's Association's Transport Be prepared and plan your 1-Nov Transport Manager Manager route to 2012 Convention of Scottish 2-Nov Road Maintenance Summit Local Authorities Road maintenance Harper Macleod Future of affordable housing 8-Nov Harper Macleod National Housing National Housing in Scotland Highlighting the increasingly important role that the private rented sector plays in meeting housing need and emphasising what the Scottish Government is doing to support and sustain the sector in order to meet the Scottish Association of challenges of housing in the 8-Nov National Landlord Day Landlords 21st century. Institute of Civil Engineers Institute of Civil Scotland's infrastructure in 11-Nov Municipal Group Scotland Engineers challenging times Focus on the recent draft budget proposals and the likely reduction in investment 16-Nov Cycling Scotland Cycling Scotland in cycling

Aileen Campbell MSP Minister for Local Government AND Planning Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Topic Holyrood Conference - Planning 21-Jun Reform in Scotland 2011 Holyrood Magazine Planning Reform 25-Aug Scottish Government/SOLACE SOLACE Local Government McKay Hannah The Big Society in Scotland: Public Services, mutual 28-Oct models and the third sector McKay Hannah Public Services and Local Government Association for Public Service Association for Public 2-Nov Excellence Soft FM Seminar Service Excellence Local Government Royal Town Planning Institute in Royal Town Planning 8-Nov Scotland Annual Conference Institute Planning Reform Local Authority (Dumfries and 15-Nov Community Council Seminar Galloway Council) Community Councils Business Improvement District Scotland - Scotland's Town Centre Local Authority (Fife 16-Nov Conference Council) and BIDs BIDs and Regeneration Scottish Renewables Planning 23-Nov Conference Scottish Renewables Planning and Renewables

Brian Adam MSP Minister for Parliamentary Business and Chief whip Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Topic United Kingdom and Ireland A Scottish Government Perspective on Forensic Association of Forensic Toxicology and its Role within the Criminal 26-Jul Toxicologists (UKIAFT) UKIAFT Justice System

Michael Matheson MSP Minister for Public Health Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Topic 24-Aug 2011 NHSScotland NHS Scotland Obesity, Tobacco, Alcohol, Care for older people Alcohol brief intervention National 6-Sep Event Scottish Government Alcohol brief intervention Muscular Dystrophy 1-Oct Muscular Dystrophy Campaign Muscular Dystrophy Patient Information 4-Oct Patient Information Forum Rise of Consumer Health Long Term Conditions 4-Oct Long Term Conditions Alliance Alliance Scotland Long Term Conditions see me, Press see me and Press Complaints Complaints 5-Oct Commission (PCC) Seminar Commission Mental Health in the Media 11-Oct Alzheimer Scotland Alzeihimer Scotland Self Directed support and Dementia 27-Oct Choose Life Forum NHS Health Scotland Suicide prevention 29-Oct ENABLE Scotland ENABLE Scotland Learning disabilities MacMillan Cancer 31-Oct Cancer Support Care Person centred care NHS Education for Scotland National Education for 2-Nov annual dental Scotland NHS dentistry NHS National Services 10-Nov Faculty of Public Health Scotland Tobacco, alcohol, obesity 14-Nov Perinatal Mental Health NHS Lanarkshire Mental health agenda Crossroads Caring 17-Nov Crossroads Caring Scotland Scotland Self-directed support Healthcare 22-Nov Schizophrenia National Meeting Improvement Scotland Schizophrenia management

Lesley Thomson MSP Solicitor General QC Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Topic Lothian and Borders Police - Proceeds of Crime Financial Lothian and Borders 15-Aug Investigation Strategy Police Proceeds of Crime 20-Sep Victim Support Scotland - Annual Victim Support New Rights for Victims and Witnesses of Crime Date Description Sponsor/Organiser Topic General Meeting Scotland Lothian and Borders Police - Lothian and Borders Personal experience of working in Criminal 26-Sep Inspiring Success Event Police Justice System

Ministers have not received any payments in accordance with paragraph 10.12 of the Scottish Ministerial Code.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what parliamentary receptions ministers have hosted since 7 May 2011. Holding answer issued: 9 December 2011 (S4W-04192) John Swinney: Scottish Government ministers have hosted the following Parliamentary Receptions since 7 May 2011: Minister Date Description Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth 29-June RBS Reception Minister for Community Safety and Hosted with Elaine Legal Affairs 20-September Arbitration Centre Smith MSP

Transport Scotland Margaret McCulloch (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-04541 by Keith Brown on 20 December 2011, what requirements are placed on (a) bus services, (b) rail services and (c) licensed taxis to anchor wheelchairs during travel as a safety precaution.

(S4W-04922) Keith Brown: Disability discrimination legislation is reserved to the UK Government bus services are covered by the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) 2000 states that buses designed to carry standing passengers are not required to be fitted with seat belts, but instead can provide a rearward facing protected area as an alternative. The Public Service Vehicles (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) Regulations 2002 require that the driver of a regulated bus (i.e. one meeting the requirements of the PSVAR) must ensure that, once on board, the wheelchair user is correctly and safely positioned within the designated space. There is no requirement on train operators to anchor wheelchairs during travel. A designated wheelchair space normally has a partition to prevent the chair tipping backwards, whilst the wheelchair’s own braking mechanism should prevent any other movement during travel. The Scottish Government does not stipulate requirements for licensed taxis to anchor wheelchairs during travel. The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 provides a framework for the licensing of taxis and private hire cars. Local licensing authorities then design, administer and enforce a local licensing regime according to local needs. While licensing authorities may make such requirements of taxis, no statutory regulations have been made on the carrying of wheelchairs.

Margaret McCulloch (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-04541 by Keith Brown on 20 December 2011, what information it has on the percentage of (a) bus services, (b) rail services and (c) and licensed taxis that has the capacity to anchor wheelchairs during travel.

(S4W-04923) Keith Brown: Disability discrimination legislation is reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Government does not collect this data in respect of bus services nor from taxi licensing authorities. Trains are not required to anchor wheelchairs during travel.