Colin Beattie: I welcome the robust approach to seeking an appropriate level of capital borrowing from the Westminster Government, as outlined by the finance secretary. The question of borrowing powers for the Scottish Parliament is complex, but it should be simple, because Scotland should have the full borrowing powers of a normal nation and should not be holding out its begging bowl to Westminster. Along...
Colin Beattie: 4. To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote the development of geothermal energy. (S4O-00085)
Colin Beattie: Is the minister aware that—as far as I can discover—the most recent comprehensive feasibility study on geothermal opportunities in the Lothians was carried out some five years ago? I have no doubt that he is aware that Scotland’s industrial heritage has resulted in a large number of flooded mine workings, including in my constituency of Midlothian North and Musselburgh—
Colin Beattie: Given the huge increase in energy prices, does the minister consider that there might be an opportunity to revisit the feasibility of that energy source?
Colin Beattie: I welcome the publication of “The Government Economic Strategy”, with its positive and clear approach to sustainable economic recovery. It remains disappointing that the strategy is not matched by a responsible approach from the UK Government that slows the public expenditure cuts to a manageable level. That would reduce job losses and business failures while still achieving the aim of...
Colin Beattie: 6. To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any indications that United Kingdom Government policies are resulting in stagflation in the Scottish economy. (S4O-00149)
Colin Beattie: Is the cabinet secretary aware that UK input prices overall rose by 18.5 per cent over the 12 months to July 2011? Significantly, imported food prices rose by 13.8 per cent, imported metals prices rose by 22.1 per cent and oil products prices rose by 45.4 per cent. Does the cabinet secretary agree that, with UK economic activity stagnating and serious inflation at our factory gates,...
Colin Beattie: 2. To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that small to medium-sized businesses have fair access to the procurement portal and what share of the available business they obtain. (S4O-00289)
Colin Beattie: In Scotland, we spend £9 billion a year on third-party goods, works and services, but only 30 per cent of the spend is with companies that employ fewer than 100 people. Will the minister consider what further measures can be taken to ensure that smaller companies, which form the backbone of our economy, receive a more equitable share of the procurement allocations, in order to better...
Colin Beattie: There was a time when education was considered to be the cure for the great ailment of society—poverty. That ill remains with us in too many places, including in my constituency of Midlothian North and Musselburgh, but I believe that it remains true, to this day, that education defeats poverty, so improving learning outcomes for our young people should be one of our highest priorities....
Colin Beattie: 4. To ask the First Minister what progress is being made in building international business connections. (S4F-00407)
Colin Beattie: I welcome both those developments. Does the First Minister agree that Westminster politicians should support the Scottish Government’s efforts to attract investment to Scotland instead of pettily fearmongering that there is uncertainty about the referendum—a claim for which they have been unable to produce a single shred of evidence?
Colin Beattie: There is an inescapable logic to locating the green investment bank in the capital of a country that has such laudable ambitions to be the renewables centre of Europe. Although the number of jobs—around 50 to 100—that come with the bank is relatively small, they will come at a time when jobs are scarce and banking jobs even scarcer. However, it is not just about jobs, but about the...
Colin Beattie: 12. To ask the Scottish Government how the national health service is increasing access to the Scottish care information gateway referral pathway for local specialised practices. (S4O-00718)
Colin Beattie: Midlothian Physiotherapy in my constituency has been attempting to gain access to the SCI gateway referral pathway for more than 18 months, but has made extremely slow progress, to the frustration of all those involved. Does the minister agree that quicker action must be taken to ensure that local practices become part of the referral system?
Colin Beattie: 2. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to combat the dumping of vehicle tyres in rural areas. (S4O-00730)
Colin Beattie: The dumping of tyres in the rural areas of my constituency is endemic. It is not unusual to encounter 30 or 40 tyres distributed along a rural road. Does the cabinet secretary agree that measures for the better control of safe and appropriate disposal of old tyres need to be put in place, which would also allow the tracking of individual tyre disposal?
Colin Beattie: 8. To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the curriculum for excellence places sufficient emphasis on preparing young people for a career in business. (S4O-00776)
Colin Beattie: It has become evident in the Midlothian part of my constituency that schools are reducing the teaching of business-related subjects. That must affect employability and, ultimately, our economic competitiveness. Will the cabinet secretary consider whether it would be appropriate to introduce guidelines to preserve important core subjects?
Colin Beattie: 5. To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to change the law to ensure that new businesses, particularly those in recycling and renewables, maintain environmentally sound practices from start-up. (S4O-00853)