As part of its “Leading by Example” programme the Scottish Government is looking to all parts of the public sector to play an exemplary role in pioneering new greener behaviour, including the generation of renewable energy.

The Scottish Futures Trust will introduce innovative and more efficient ways of delivering and funding public infrastructure, and will encourage specifications which ensure that new public buildings are also green public buildings.

Changes to the Energy Standards of Scottish Building Regulations and SPP6: Planning Guidance encourage the use of renewable energy technologies in new public buildings to meet improved carbon emissions levels.

We are also promoting uptake by the public sector under the UK Government’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme which complements the increased funding under our own renewables grants programme for community projects.

We are introducing dedicated schools development officers to support the deployment of renewable technologies in Scotland’s schools.

We have also recently widened the Central Energy Efficiency Fund to allow public bodies to invest in renewables as well as energy efficiency.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-13639 on 9 June 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.

Cross-border rail services are the responsibility of the Department for Transport. It is already in the commercial interests of the train operating companies to maximise revenue and, accordingly, we have no plans to seek a reduction in the costs of tickets on cross-border services operating below capacity.

The recently launched Energy Saving Scotland advice network, funded by Scottish Government and managed by the Energy Saving Trust, provides advice and support to householders wishing to reduce their energy use and cut their fuel bills.

Smart meters and real time displays could also play a role and we work closely with the UK Government in this policy area. The UK Government is already undertaking a major UK-wide pilot to gain a good understanding of the costs and benefits of smart meters. This pilot includes Scottish consumers and we await the results of the pilot with keen interest.

I refer the member to the to answer to question S3W-13650 on 9 June 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.

The information requested is not held centrally.

Data on the number of visitors at local authority level is not held centrally. Data on the number of visitors to Ayrshire and Arran and Scotland is provided in the following table.

Ayrshire and Arran (000)

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Total UK	1,390	870	1,210	990	1,090	1,090	940	670
Origin
Scotland	848	418	593	426	*534	*534	461	369
Rest of UK	542	452	617	564	*556	*556	479	301
Overseas	100	90	80	70	80	80	**170	**170

 

Scotland (000)

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Total UK	18,530	18,960	17,540	18,530	17,520	17,520	14,870	13,280
Origin
Scotland	9,265	10,238	8,741	9,079	*8,650	*8,650	6,750	6,348
Rest of UK	9,265	8,722	8,799	9,451	*8,870	*8,870	8,120	6,932
Overseas	1,860	1,690	1,590	1,580	1,570	1,880	**2,390	**2,730

Source: ONS International Passenger Survey, and UK Tourism Survey (UKTS).

Note: *UKTS data for 2003 and 2004 are considered unreliable. Methodology changed from 2005 - earlier totals not comparable.

**ONS International Passenger Survey methodology changed from 2005 – Prestwick added as an interview point – so previous years not comparable.

Further data is available at:

Tourism in Ayrshire and Arran 2006

http://www.visitscotland.org/ayrshire___arran_2006-2.pdf.

Tourism in Scotland 2006

http://www.visitscotland.org/tourism_in_scotland_2006_national.pdf.

Cross Border rail services are the responsibility of the Department for Transport. I understand it is already in the commercial interests of the train operating companies to maximise revenue and, accordingly, it has not proved necessary to impose mandatory requirements to maximise the uptake of underused services.

The Scottish Government is a strong supporter of the traditional crafts sector in Scotland, which are an expanding part of Scotland’s successful creative industries.

The Scottish Arts Council is pursuing a range of initiatives to develop opportunities for the promotion of Scottish makers’ work.

I have asked the Scottish Arts Council to write to you directly to provide further information and detail on the work they are undertaking in relation to the crafts sector.

There is evidence to suggest that price impacts on consumption, but it is only one factor which may affect how people drink. We are taking some immediate action on binge drinking through continued implementation of the Licensing Act which will end irresponsible promotions. We want to change the place of alcohol within Scotland’s culture and will shortly consult on proposals for tackling alcohol misuse which will look at a broad range of measures to lower consumption levels.