Cathy Jamieson

17 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether problems caused by high hedges will be part of its review of the antisocial behaviour strategy.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: As part of reviewwe will be considering the use, effectiveness and range of existing measuresavailable to local agencies to tackle unacceptable behaviour, includingservices relevant to high hedge disputes, such as mediation.</p><p>In addition tothis, we are g…

17 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest position is on the timescale for its review of the national antisocial behaviour strategy.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The terms ofreference for the review of the national antisocial behaviour strategy, which setout the review’s timescale, were published on 25 October 2007.</p>

17 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide local authorities with guidance on the issuing of abatement notices in relation to high hedges disputes.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: We currently haveno plans to provide local authorities with guidance on issuing abatement noticesin relation to disputes about high hedges, but neither have we ruled this out. Werecognise the considerable distressthat can be caused to residents by their neigh…

17 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the press release of 30 August 2007 from the Minister for Environment, what burden of proof will be required when making the decision to stop the Single Farm Payment being paid to landowners or estates that allow the killing of birds of prey to be carried out on their land.

Answer · Michael Russell: The civil standardof proof is used to decide whether or not Cross Compliance requirements havebeen breached. If an inspector can provide evidence to show that on the balanceof probability a breach has been committed then this is enough to allow a CrossComplia…

17 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the press release of 30 August 2007 from the Minister for Environment, what discussions have taken place with regard to stopping the Single Farm Payment and other government subsidies or grants being paid to landowners or estates that allow the killing of birds of prey to be c…

Answer · Michael Russell: Provisions forstopping the Single Farm Payment and certain other government subsidies alreadyexist. These will be used where estates allow the illegal killing of birds ofprey and where there is a sufficient level of proof.</p>

11 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what organisations the Minister for Community Safety intends to meet to discuss ongoing and new initiatives to tackle sectarianism.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Governmenthas on-going discussions with a range of stakeholders on work to tacklesectarianism and I have already met with representatives from across Scottishfaith communities and those working in education. It is my intention tocontinue this pos…

11 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which police forces have a named officer to collect and collate information on sectarian incidents and offences.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: All police forcesin Scotland have arrangements in place for collectingand collating information on sectarian incidents and offences. Fife, Grampian, and Central Scotland Police Forces have anamed officer responsible for recording this information.</p>

11 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to monitor the effectiveness of legislation to tackle sectarianism.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Governmentis committed to tackling all forms of religious discrimination includingsectarianism. We will continue to analyse information on religiously aggravatedcrimes collected under Section 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003, and ha…

11 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what additional financial costs have been incurred by NHS Ayrshire and Arran in bringing forward its proposals for the new review of services.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHSAyrshire and Arran estimate the additional coststo be in the region of £100,000.</p>

11 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing will direct the independent scrutiny panel established to look at the proposals for the new review of services brought forward by NHS Ayrshire and Arran to engage with communities that did not participate in the earlier consultation.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I referthe member to the answer to question S3W-5008 on 9 October 2007. Allanswers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website,the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.s…

11 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the terms of reference are for the independent scrutiny panel established to look at the proposals for the new review of services brought forward by NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The task of the IndependentScrutiny Panel chaired by Dr Andrew Walker is to bring to bear independent, expert,probing scrutiny on the revised accident and emergency service proposals from NHSLanarkshire and NHS Ayrshire and Arran. The aim of thisscrutiny is t…

4 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will meet representatives of the National Autistic Society to discuss the establishment of its proposed Additional Support Fund to improve services for children with additional needs.

Answer · Adam Ingram: I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-5159 on 31 October 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can befound at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…

4 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4451 by Adam Ingram on 2 October 2007, what the timescale is for the establishment of the £10 million Additional Support Fund to improve services for children with additional needs.

Answer · Adam Ingram: I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-5159 on 31 October 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can befound at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…

4 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4451 by Adam Ingram on 2 October 2007, when the Minister for Children and Early Years will meet COSLA to discuss the proposed Additional Support Fund to improve services for children with additional needs.

Answer · Adam Ingram: This government wantsa new deal for local government and we are looking to put it in place as partof the spending review. Discussions with local government are ongoing. The goalis a strategic agreement on a range of outcomes and measures that will enablelocal…

4 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4451 by Adam Ingram on 2 October 2007, on which future date it will consider establishing a review into the operation and implementation of mainstreaming policy.

Answer · Adam Ingram: A date has not yetbeen decided for considering establishing a review into the operation and implementationof mainstreaming policy.</p>

4 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-2509 by Stewart Stevenson on 7 August 2007, why the STAG appraisal into a Maybole bypass has been delayed.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-5127 on 5 November 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…

4 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change last held discussions with officials from Transport Scotland regarding the progress of the STAG appraisal into a Maybole bypass.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I have not had specificdiscussions on the progress of the Maybole Bypass. It is being considered as partof the Strategic Transport Projects Review which will report in summer 2008.</p>

4 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-2509 by Stewart Stevenson on 7 August 2007, when it will publish the STAG appraisal into a Maybole bypass.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The STAG Part 1 AppraisalReport was published on 29 June 2006. The appraisal report onroute options for a Maybole Bypass (using Design Manual for Roads and Bridges guidance)was finalised on 5 October 2007 and will now be considered in the Strategic TransportP…

4 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what specialist support is available in Ayrshire and Arran for the carers of people with brain injuries.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: We acknowledge theimportant role which carers can play, especially in cases of more severe brain injuries.Where patients have been admitted to hospital because of their brain injury, SIGNGuideline 46 stresses the importance of providing clear information, at …

4 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what specialist support is available in Ayrshire and Arran for people with brain injuries.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The early managementof patients with head injury is covered by SIGN Guideline 46, which is currentlyunder revision. NHS boards are expected to implement these guidelines through localprotocols.</p><p>People in NHS Ayrshireand Arran who require specialist brai…

2 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the cumulative financial cost is of making every school building in (a) East Ayrshire and (b) South Ayrshire wind-tight and watertight.

Answer · Maureen Watt: The maintenance oftheir school buildings is a local authority responsibility. Detailed informationof the kind requested is not held centrally.</p>

2 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Water is liable to pay financial compensation for economic loss caused to individuals, businesses or community organisations by damage caused by infrastructure work carried out on its behalf by a subcontractor.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-5024 on 5 October 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.…

2 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Water is liable to pay financial compensation to a client if poor quality infrastructure replacement work is carried out on its behalf by a subcontractor.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Section 20 of theSewerage (Scotland) Act 1968 (as amended) sets out the arrangementsfor compensation for loss etc. resulting from the exercise of Scottish Water’s powersunder Part 1 of this act.</p><p>Similarly, section10 of the Water (Scotland) Act 1980 (as …

2 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the membership of the Housing Supply Task Force.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I chair the HousingSupply Task Force which also includes representatives from COSLA, the Scottish Federationof Housing Associations, Shelter, the Council of Mortgage Lenders and Homes forScotland.</p>

2 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the views of tenants living in social rented housing will be taken into account by the Housing Supply Task Force.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Housing SupplyTask Force will be engaging with a wide range of organisations as it develops itsunderstanding of the issues that are hampering the delivery of more housing of alltypes in Scotland. Some organisations will be invited to attendtask force meet…

2 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what additional financial support it has provided for animal disease surveillance and diagnostic services in Ayrshire following the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth and bluetongue disease.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The recent outbreakof foot-and-mouth disease in Surrey has highlighted the importance of continuedvigilance for signs of disease and surveillance. Given the level of resource currentlyin place the Scottish Government does not believe that additional financial…

2 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to develop and improve animal disease surveillance and diagnostic services in Ayrshire.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government’sanimal disease surveillance programme is kept under continual review to ensure itprovides maximum protection and benefit to Scotland’s livestock industry.</p>

2 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what investment it has planned to improve the system of animal disease surveillance and diagnostic services.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government’sanimal disease surveillance arrangements are kept under review to ensure that theyare appropriate to Scotland’s needs.</p>

2 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any windfarm applications have ever been refused permission by a planning authority due to the cumulative impact on the area in which they were proposed.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Governmentdoes not hold centrally information on the reasons for refusals of planning permissionby planning authorities, other than those which are subject to an appeal to Scottishministers. Each planning authority is required to include the reas…

2 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what applications for windfarm developments located in the Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley parliamentary constituency are currently subject to a public inquiry.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: A reporter from theDirectorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) held a public local inquiryinto an application for the proposed Kyle windfarm, near Dalmellington. The inquiryended in June 2007 and the Reporter will shortly be submitting his repor…