Download or read book Meeting Scotland s Future Energy Needs written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Scottish Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2006-03-29 with total page 16 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report is a brief description of a visit to Westfield Development Centre, where Fife Energy Limited has developed an advanced fuel technology and gasification plant. It is able to convert any carbon-containing material into a synthetic gas, composed primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which can be used in place of natural gas, for example to generate electricity. The Committee was impressed by the plant, and by a number of other energy projects in the Fife area - wave generation, off-shore wind demonstrators, battery research - and recommends that the Minister for Energy either visits the site or receives a presentation from the Westfield Centre in the course of the consultation period for the energy review (which ends on 14 April 2006).
Download or read book Meeting Scotland s Future Energy Needs written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Scottish Affairs Committee and published by Stationery Office Books (TSO). This book was released on 2005-01-01 with total page 85 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Meeting Scotland's Future Energy Needs : Second Report of Session 2004-05
Download or read book Meeting Scotland s Future Energy Needs written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Scottish Affairs Committee and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 7 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Scottish Affairs Committee published its report on Scotland's future energy needs in March. This reply from the Scottish Office, received on 10 October, responds to each of the twelve recommendations.
Download or read book The Sewel Convention written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Scottish Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2006-06-19 with total page 88 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Sewel Convention seeks to ensure that the UK Parliament legislates on devolved matters only with the express agreement of the Scottish Parliament, and consent is also required for legislation on reserved matters if it alters the powers of the Scottish Parliament or Scottish Ministers. Following on from a report by the Scottish Parliament Procedures Committee on the operation of the Convention (SP paper 428, 7th report, session 2 (2005) (ISBN 1406113220) published in October 2005), the Committee's report focuses on ways of improving the communications procedure between the Scottish and Westminster Parliaments, and how MPs could be better alerted that a particular Bill before Parliament had been subject to a Sewel motion in the Scottish Parliament. Recommendations made include: the introduction of a formal process whereby the Scottish Parliament notifies Westminster when a Sewel motion has been passed and the 'tagging' of all relevant public Bills; and the need for an explicit statement on explanatory notes to Bills as to which parts of the UK the provisions will affect. The report also recommends the further consideration of the need to establish a 'Super' Scottish Grand Committee, composed of Scottish MPs, MSPs and Scottish MEPs, to discuss matters of mutual interest.
Download or read book Sessional Returns written by Great Britain: House of Commons and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2005-06-23 with total page 344 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With corrigendum slip dated June 2005 (1 sheet).
Download or read book Work of the Committee in 2005 written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Scottish Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2006-01-24 with total page 24 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Work of the Committee In 2005 : First report of session 2005-06, report, together with formal Minutes
Download or read book UK offshore oil and gas written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Energy and Climate Change Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2009-06-30 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Whilst the UK economy must decarbonise if the country is to meet its obligations to tackle climate change, and use of fossil fuels must diminish, the UK will still need to use the oil and gas resources remaining in the UK continental shelf.
Download or read book Meeting the energy challenge written by Great Britain: Department of Trade and Industry and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2007-05-23 with total page 348 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There are two main energy challenges: tackling climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions; and ensuring clean and affordable energy as the country becomes increasingly dependent on imported fuel. These challenges have to be met against the backdrop of rising fossil fuel prices; slower than anticipated liberalisation of the EU energy markets; heightened awareness of the risk arising from remaining oil and gas reserves being concentrated in a few geographical regions; and a need for substantial new investment in power stations, the electricity grid and gas infrastructure. This White Paper sets out the Governments international and domestic strategy to address these challenges and ways to implement the Energy Review of 2006 and the 2006 Pre-Budget Report. There is a separate consultation document on nuclear power.
Download or read book Experience of the Scottish Elections written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Scottish Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2008 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On 3 May 2007, combined elections were held in Scotland, electing members to the Scottish Parliament and all 32 of Scotland's local councils. The number of spoilt ballots cast in these elections was unusually high, and difficulties with the electronic counting machines led to the count being suspended in some constituencies. The Electoral Commission engaged Ron Gould CM to conduct an independent assessment of the elections. This report examines the findings of the Gould Report and its recommendations, some of which have already been accepted in principle by the Scotland Office and by the Scottish Executive, including holding the Scottish Parliament and local government elections at different times and producing separate regional and constituency ballot papers for the Scottish Parliament elections. Evidence strongly suggests that there are deep problems with the way elections are administered, both in Scotland and across the UK, which, if left unaddressed, could again create difficulties in the future. Any changes to the way in which elections are carried out must be accompanied by rigorous research and testing; the absence of such research and testing was a major failing that led to the problems of 3 May. There were failings on the part of the Scotland Office, where lengthy delays disrupted election planning and led to weak contingency arrangements. The Electoral Commission did not do enough to warn of potential problems with the ballot. The use of e-counting has been subject to particular criticism. Although electronic counting may have the potential to produce results more quickly, in these elections it did not operate efficiently or transparently. Any future proposals must place the needs of the voter and the interests of transparency far above the limitations of any given technology.
Download or read book Employment and Skills for the Defence Industry in Scotland written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Scottish Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2008 with total page 164 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Defence and aerospace industries in Scotland generate nearly £2.31 billion in sales and together with the MoD support almost 50,000 jobs and a record number of apprentices. As well as a recognised expertise in naval ship building, Scotland also has a strong defence electronics industry and a strong aerospace industry based around Prestwick. This report examines the delay in the signing of the contract for two new aircraft carriers: the Committee is concerned that similar delays during the construction phase could lead to job losses and damage the ship-building skills base the UK needs to support if it wishes to retain sovereign capability in key areas. The Committee also comments on the Government's decision to treat the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) vessels as commercial rather than naval vessels, making them subject to EU competition law. There is confusion over the status of these vessels. The report also looks at the supply of skilled, semi-skilled and graduate workers, the Modern Apprenticeship programme, and the funding for adult apprentices. It is vital for Scottish industry to look at upskilling throughout the workforce, including mature workers who were not able to access apprenticeships as school leavers. The issue of constitutional change also affects the future sustainability of the Scottish defence industry. In the long term it is unclear what naval requirement an independent Scotland would have and whether this would make up for the potential loss of UK MoD orders. Government and industry need to work effectively together to ensure that Scotland's engineering and manufacturing base continues to be world class.
Download or read book Meeting UK Energy and Climate Needs written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Science and Technology Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2006-02-09 with total page 220 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Meeting UK energy and climate Needs : The role of carbon capture and storage, first report of session 2005-06, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence
Download or read book Commission on Scottish Devolution written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Scottish Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-03-11 with total page 76 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report examines the recommendations of the Commission on Scottish Devolution ('the Calman Commission'), specifically the parts which relate to relations between the two parliaments. The Scottish Affairs Committee concludes that closer cooperation between the UK and Scottish parliaments and governments is only possible if backed up by political will. Removing procedural barriers is only one part of improving communication and cooperation; structural changes alone will not make the difference. The Committee's key findings are: the Government should make time for a regular 'State of Scotland' debate, to include devolved matters; The UK and Scottish governments have given a positive response to the idea of appearing before committees of either Parliament; the idea of a 'Scottish Super Grand Committee' composed of Scottish MPs, MSPs and Scottish MEPs should be revisited; changes should be made to allow UK and Scottish parliamentary committees to work together; positive consideration should be given to whether Scottish ministers can give evidence to UK Parliament committees examining Scotland Act Orders; arrangements should be made to remove any unnecessary barriers to access for MSPs visiting Westminster; a programme of exchanges and secondments with the Scottish Parliament should be funded and encouraged by the House.
Download or read book Keeping the Lights on written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Environmental Audit Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2006-04-16 with total page 404 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Keeping the lights On : Nuclear, renewables and climate change, sixth report of session 2005-06, Vol. 3: Written Evidence
Download or read book Scotland and the UK written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Scottish Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report examines the arrangements in place for communication between the UK Government and Scottish Executive, particularly when the UK Government formulates international policy which will specifically affect Scottish interests and devolved matters. Generally there are effective channels of communication at both ministerial and official level between the two governments. Whitehall tends to overlook the Scottish angle of policy and legislation more often in those departments which are unfamiliar with devolved matters. We recommend that the Government ensures that each department has a devolution champion to ensure that there is a good level of awareness of devolution issues. The revival of the Joint Ministerial Committee should provide an important forum for discussion between Ministers of the UK Government and devolved administrations. However, there is little opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny of the outcomes and effectiveness of the Committee's meetings. The report welcomes the publication of the new Protocol for Avoidance and Resolution of Disputes as the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding did not provide adequate guidance on how disputes between the UK and Scotland should be resolved. This was demonstrated during the communications between the governments on the UK's negotiations with Libya on the Prisoner Transfer Agreement. Both Governments should display the necessary political will to ensure that both understand each other's point of view and demonstrate the mutual respect which should characterise all their dealings.
Download or read book Poverty in Scotland written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Scottish Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2007-12-17 with total page 60 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The inquiry into both rural and urban poverty in Scotland was extensive. It was therefore decided to publish the report in two volumes. This report focuses on issues surrounding the definition and measurement of poverty; the effectiveness of Government policy; and the problems of fuel poverty and debt. Child poverty will be the subject of the subsequent report.
Download or read book Future Energy written by Trevor Letcher and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2013-11-12 with total page 739 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As the demand for global energy increases, fact-based evaluations of alternative energy sources are needed in order to address the growing interest in how energy is produced, provided, and transported in sustainable ways. Future Energy, Second Edition provides scientists and decision makers with the knowledge they need to understand the relative importance and magnitude of various energy production methods in order to make the energy decisions needed for sustaining development and dealing with climate change. The second edition of Future Energy looks at the present energy situation and extrapolates to future scenarios related to global warming and the increase of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This thoroughly revised and updated edition contains over 30 chapters on all aspects of future energy, each chapter updated and expanded by expert scientists and engineers in their respective fields providing an unbiased and balanced view of the future of energy. Provides readers with an up-to-date overview of available energy options, both traditional and renewable, as well as the necessary tools to make informed decisions regarding selection, use, and environmental impacts. Covers a wide spectrum of future energy resources presented in a single book with chapters written by experts of the particular field Eleven new chapters including chapters on: solar heating, energy resources in developing nations and frontiers in oil and gas, Arctic drilling and unconventional oil and gas sources, thorium in nuclear fission, ethanol and other options for future transport fuel, fracking, smart grids, new batteries, environmental issues and the energy options for China
Download or read book Banking in Scotland written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Scottish Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-03-08 with total page 56 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report examines the impact on Scotland of the current economic crisis, specifically the recapitalisation of two of its largest banks: Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and the newly merged Lloyds TSB and Halifax Bank of Scotland. Evidence suggests that customers are not being fairly treated by the very banks being supported by taxpayers' money to the tune of hundreds of billions of pounds. The Committee is disappointed that both banks and the Minister consider it a necessary evil to reward to certain bank executives with enormous bonuses when thousands of rank and file employees face redundancy. They are not convinced that there has been a change of culture within banks as a result of the crisis and are concerned that front-line staff are still being pressured to sell potentially unsuitable products such as loans and credit cards to customers at pre-crisis levels. Furthermore, small and medium sized businesses vital to the Scottish economy have experienced extreme difficulties in the past eighteen months in accessing the finance necessary to keep themselves afloat. This inquiry specifically covered the effect of the banking crisis on jobs, services to the public and small business lending in Scotland; the effect of the failure of Scottish banks and building societies on the international reputation of Scotland's banking sector and the effectiveness of measures put in place by the UK Government
