Christine Grahame

22 Jul 2014 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, further to the Presiding Officer's letter of 1 July 2014 to the member for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, which advised that "SPCB resources include...all areas of the Parliamentary complex”, in light of the “Parliamentary complex” being defined on the web…

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Under the Scotland Act 1998, as amended, the SPCB has responsibility for all property, services and staff for the Parliament.  The SPCB has given an assurance to the Parliament that in the lead up to the Referendum, as at other times, it will ensure that the …

9 Apr 2014 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will ensure that translation facilities are available to members lodging motions that require this.

Answer · Liz Smith: The working language of the Parliament is English and, in this regard, under sections 4.1 of the Parliament’s Guidance on Motions and 1.6 of the SPCB Language Policy, if a member wishes a motion to be printed in the Business Bulletin in a language other than …

18 Mar 2014 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what facilities are available for the showing of documentary films.

21 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many snaring training courses have been delivered since 11 March 2010 by (a) Borders College, (b) the British Association for Shooting and Conservation Limited, (c) Elmwood College, (d) the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, (e) North Highland College, (f) the Scottish Agricultural …

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) voluntarily administers a central register that holds all details of the snare training courses which are run by the following approved bodies: G…

21 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-16396 by Paul Wheelhouse on 25 July 2013, how many snare users, having attended the required training, had obtained an identification number from the chief constable of their local police force or from Police Scotland by 1 January 2014.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: By 1 January 2014, a total of 1,115 people had obtained their snaring identification number from the chief constable of their local police force or, since 1 April 2013 when Police Scotland was formally established, from the chief constable of Police Scotland.…

21 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-12369 and S4W-16395 by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 January 2013 and 25 July 2013 respectively, how many snare users attended the training required to qualify for an identification number for the purpose of setting snares by 1 January 2014.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: By 1 January 2014, a total of 2,144 people had successfully completed the snaring training course required to qualify for an identification number for the purpose of setting snares.

16 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its questionnaire consulting on the possible mandatory microchipping of dogs and other measures does not include a question on (a) the awareness of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 and (b) what other legislation exists regarding the sale and breeding of dogs.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: We are aware that there are a wide range of other concerns surrounding responsible dog ownership, and have used the consultation as an opportunity to gather initial views on other potential new measures. This includes posing an open question on the promotion …

6 Jan 2014 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent discovery of six badger carcasses near Peebles, whether it is content with Police Scotland’s resource allocation for detecting and preventing wildlife crimes.

16 Dec 2013 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government will commemorate the passing of 25 years since the Lockerbie disaster.

25 Nov 2013 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government will take to avert the reported pressures on social care budgets undermining care services for older and vulnerable people.

20 Nov 2013 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it plans to use committee rooms for exhibitions on a regular basis.

13 Nov 2013 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, further to the answer to question S4W-17869 by Liam McArthur on 8 November 2013, whether notes or a record were taken of the oral legal advice and, if so, whether they will be published.

Answer · Liam McArthur: I can confirm to the Member that no notes or a record was taken of the oral legal advice.

4 Nov 2013 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s position is on Shelter Scotland's statement that around 5,000 children will be housed in temporary accommodation over Christmas and that the law must be changed to enable families to challenge inadequate temporary accommodation. 

21 Oct 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research it has (a) carried out and (b) commissioned on jury deliberations and subsequent verdicts.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Government commissioned research into jury composition and verdicts in summer 2012. The results of that research were summarised in Appendix B of the Government’s consultation paper entitled “Reforming Scots Criminal Law and Practice: Additional Safeguard…

21 Oct 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many prosecutions for (a) sexual abuse, (b) domestic abuse or violence and (c) rape in each year since 2007 before a (i) jury and (ii) single judge resulted in a (A) not proven and (B) not guilty verdict, also expressed as a percentage of such cases.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following table. Solemn court cases will be tried by a judge and jury, summary court cases will be tried a single judge. Number of people proceeded against and acquitted where main charge was a crime associated with …

21 Oct 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many prosecutions for (a) sexual abuse, (b) domestic abuse or violence and (c) rape in each year since 2007 before a (i) jury and (ii) single judge resulted in a conviction, also expressed as a percentage of such cases.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following tables. Solemn court cases will be tried by a judge and jury, summary court cases will be tried a single judge. Number of people proceeded against and convicted for a crime associated with sexual abuse1,2, …

16 Oct 2013 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, further to the answer to question S4W-17337 by Liam McArthur on 2 October 2013, whether it has received legal advice on possible civil proceedings being raised by the member held on remand because of the loss of (a) pay or pension and (b) personal reputation should the…

Answer · Liam McArthur (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body):: Appropriate legal advice was taken on this matter and consideration was given to all the relevant issues before we reached the decision to bring the motion before Parliament.   That advice included oral legal advice on the possibility of civil proceedings …

16 Oct 2013 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, further to the answer to question S4W-17337 by Liam McArthur on 2 October 2013, whether it has received legal advice on pension entitlement for the member held on remand should there be an acquittal or not proven verdict and, if so, whether it will publish this.

Answer · Liam McArthur (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body):: I refer the Member to the answer to question S4W-17337 on 2 October 2013 that confirmed that the SPCB is examining consequential pension and salary issues. Appropriate legal advice will be included in that consideration. The SPCB will report to the Parliament…

7 Oct 2013 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister, in light of the Specialist Crime Division's responsibilities for organised crime, counter terrorism and intelligence, what its role will be in relation to the National Crime Agency, which sets the UK's overall operational agenda for tackling these matters.

19 Sep 2013 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether the amendment to the Parliament’s salary scheme to include the deduction of a member’s salary by 90% if on remand is ECHR compliant and whether the salary deducted plus any notional interest accruing together with pensionable service and entitlement will be paya…

Answer · Liam McArthur: Appropriate legal advice was taken on this matter and consideration was given to all the relevant issues before we reached the decision to bring the motion before Parliament.   The core principle behind the motion remains the availability of a Member, whils…

12 Sep 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-05956 by Kenny MacAskill on 8 March 2013, how many (a) investigations have been carried out and (b) control notices have been issued by each local authority in each year since 5 March 2012.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Based on the most recent information provided to the Scottish Government by individual local authorities, the following table provides a breakdown of the number of investigations carried out and the number of Dog Control Notices served by each local authority…

10 Sep 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Pet Advertising Advisory Group's suggested minimum standards for classified websites that advertise the sale of pet animals, and whether it considers that introducing these would improve animal welfare standards among online advertisers and protect people from…

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government recognises that the sale of pets online is a growing animal welfare concern. We have met with stakeholders to discuss the issue of pet vending, including online pet sales. It is clear from those discussions that there is a need for a b…

10 Sep 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-03974, S4W-10157 and S4W-11225 by Richard Lochhead on 21 November 2011, 12 November 2012 and 28 November 2012 respectively, whether it plans to introduce secondary legislation under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 regarding the (…

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government met with stakeholders on 22 March to discuss the sale of pets, including internet sales, and we are currently considering what further action might be taken. A consultation regarding a possible ban on the use of wild animals in circus…

9 Jul 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for offences concerning snaring since 11 March 2010 and with what outcome.

Answer · Frank Mulholland: 31 persons have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for offences concerning snaring since 11 March 2010. There was insufficient, admissible evidence to take action against nine persons. Eight persons received Procurator Fiscal warnings in cases in which,…

9 Jul 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many snare users who attended the training required to qualify for an identification number for the purpose of setting snares had obtained an identification number from the chief constable of their local police force by 1 July 2013.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: By 1 July 2013, 915 people had obtained their snaring identification number from the Chief Constable of their local police force or, since 1 April 2013 when Police Scotland was formally established, from the Chief Constable of Police Scotland.

9 Jul 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12369 by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 January 2013, how many snare users attended the training required to qualify for an identification number for the purpose of setting snares between 1 April 2013 and 1 July 2013.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Between 1 April 2013 and 1 July 2013, 139 people successfully completed a snaring training course required to qualify for an identification number for the purpose of setting snares.

9 Jul 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12369 by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 January 2013, how many snare users had attended the training required to qualify for an identification number for the purpose of setting snares by 1 April 2013.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: By 1 April 2013, 1,864 people had successfully completed a snaring training course required to qualify for an identification number for the purpose of setting snares.

10 Jun 2013 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government has been in contact with the UK Government regarding illegal surveillance activities in Scotland.

28 May 2013 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will consider procuring a resident cat as a humane mouse deterrent.

20 May 2013 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will consider piloting a domestic violence disclosure scheme.