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There are currently no plans at present to conduct such a study however these are always vital issues to the Scottish Government and are kept under review.

However, offshore grid development is of critical importance to the Scottish Government in order to realise the full potential of our renewable resources.

We are progressing two key studies into offshore grid connections “ the Irish-Scottish links on Energy Study (ISLES) and the recently published North Sea Energy Grid (NSEG) pre-scoping study.

The principal advisor to the UK Governments on the health effects of radiation, including the low frequency electromagnetic fields from power lines, is the UK Health Protection Agency. In 2004 the Agency published a Review of the Scientific Evidence for Limiting Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields and related Advice on Limiting Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields. The conclusions of this review are in keeping with related health advice from the World Health Organization.

The public inquiry into the proposed Beauly to Denny 400kV transmission line heard evidence from a number of expert witnesses on the issue of potential health hazards. This evidence, and the reporter''s conclusions, will be reported to ministers who will take all material considerations into account when making a determination on the application.

This information is not held centrally.

The number of people injured on the A9 between Perth (Inveralmond Roundabout) and Inverness (Longman Roundabout) in each year since 1985 is shown in the following table:

Year	Number of Casualties
1985	166
1986	133
1987	94
1988	172
1989	165
1990	169
1991	150
1992	98
1993	101
1994	107
1995	84
1996	119
1997	97
1998	115
1999	112
2000	130
2001	94
2002	87
2003	118
2004	111
2005	97
2006	91
2007	114
2008*	62

Note: *2008 Figures are from 1 January to 31 July.

The figures quoted may differ slightly from those published elsewhere because they were extracted on a different date and the database may have changed between the two dates, for example because of late returns or corrections to earlier returns.

The number of fatal accidents on the A9 between Perth (Inveralmond Roundabout) and Inverness (Longman Roundabout) in each year since 1985 is shown in the following table:

Year	Number of Fatal Accidents
1985	7
1986	5
1987	8
1988	10
1989	9
1990	11
1991	12
1992	1
1993	3
1994	10
1995	4
1996	7
1997	4
1998	7
1999	6
2000	7
2001	8
2002	3
2003	5
2004	5
2005	1
2006	7
2007	7
2008*	5

Note: *2008 Figures are from 1 January to 29 October.

The figures quoted may differ slightly from those published elsewhere because they were extracted on a different date and the database may have changed between the two dates, for example because of late returns or corrections to earlier returns.

I have already given such an assurance in respect of drams provided as part of a distillery tour when I met the Scotch Whisky Association and toured Dewar''s World of Whisky on 21 July 2008. Wider issues concerning the promotion of alcohol are being considered in light of the responses to the Scottish Government''s consultation Changing Scotland''s Relationship with Alcohol but we are clear that we do not propose ban promotions that explain the method of production, history and heritage of Scotland''s quality products. Again, we have already given the Scotch Whisky Association an assurance that we will discuss these matters with them before proposing any regulatory action to end the irresponsible promotion of alcohol.

Local authorities are each responsible for their own waste disposal contracts and therefore the Scottish Government does not hold details of when contracts will be re‘tendered.

The main statutory instrument that governs the procurement process for larger scale contracts is the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and this should be used where appropriate.

Management of municipal waste is a matter for each local authority. Green waste (household garden waste) is collected by local authorities for composting and the outputs can be used for soil conditioning or land restoration. Where compost is used in this manner it counts towards recycling performance and can be set against national targets.

Each local authority is responsible for making its own waste disposal arrangements and this information is not held centrally.

While the information requested is not routinely collected, the DTZ/Pieda report Use of Antisocial Behaviour Orders in Scotland examined the key issues around the use of ASBOs in Scotland, including the time taken to prepare them. This report was published in September 2007 and is available on the Scottish Government''s website at www.scotland.gov.uk.