Elaine Murray

20 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance NHS boards are given regarding do-not-resuscitate orders; what information must be provided to patients' relatives, and whether they may appeal against such an order.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: In May 2010 NHS boards were made aware of the NHSScotland Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) policy and the publication of other related materials including the information leaflet, Decisions about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Information…

20 Jun 2011 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government will take to provide confidence to investors in light of the report by the Ernst and Young Scottish ITEM Club that the prospect of continuing constitutional change could put Scotland at an economic disadvantage.

13 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether speed bumps are required in 20 mph zones in residential areas.

Answer · Keith Brown: Speed reducing measures are required within a 20 mph zone. However, in each particular case, it is for local traffic authorities to decide on the number and type of measures which should be employed. So there is no automatic requirement for speed bumps.

13 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is provided regarding the operation of 20 mph zones in residential areas.

Answer · Keith Brown: Between 1992 and 2006, the Scottish Government published several circulars which provided guidance to local authorities about 20 mph zones. In addition, traffic advisory leaflets published by the Department for Transport for use by all UK local authorities pr…

31 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the guidance laid out in Circular 38/1992, Disposal of Surplus Government Land - The Chrichel Down Rules, remains in place with regard to the exceptions from the obligation to offer surplus government land back to its previous owner.

Answer · John Swinney: Circular 38/1992 and the guidance it contains remains in place. The Scottish Government has, however, recently carried out a public consultation seeking views on new draft guidance on using compulsory purchase. This included a new draft circular to replace ci…

26 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider consolidating agricultural holdings legislation.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government does not propose to consolidate agricultural holdings legislation at this time.

26 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review section 13 of the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: On 30 September 2010, the Scottish Government invited the Tenant Farming Forum to submit their views on what changes might help simplify the means by which agricultural rents are set (under section 13 of the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991) and the …

26 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review Land Court procedures.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government does not have any plans to review Land Court procedures.

26 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it encourages new entrants into the tenanted farming sector.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: During the last parliamentary session, the Scottish Government asked the Tenant Farming Forum to consider what measures were needed in order to reduce the barriers to new entrants wishing to gain entry in to tenant farming. The forum responded with a number o…

26 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether its policy on no compulsory redundancies will apply to teaching staff in (a) further and (b) higher education establishments.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government extended until 31 March 2012 the no compulsory redundancies policy for staff working in the Scottish Government and in non-ministerial departments, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies. Ministers have also made clear t…

26 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether its policy on no compulsory redundancies will apply to the Scottish Intellectual Assets Centre.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Intellectual Assets Centre is a subsidiary of Scottish Enterprise. It is therefore a matter for Scottish Enterprise, in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, to consider whether a no compulsory redundancy policy will apply.

26 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to changes the rights of succession to allow grandchildren to succeed grandparents into farming tenancies.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government published a consultation paper on 22 March 2011 with a draft Bill which would amend the definition of “near relatives” in the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991 to include grandchildren. Where a tenant farmer dies and his tenan…

25 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what treatment is available through the NHS for plagiocephaly in young babies.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The current treatment of babies with plagiocephaly includes supervised “tummy time”, avoiding bouncy chairs, and repositioning the baby’s head away from the flattened side when sleeping. A leaflet was developed in 2007, Protect your baby’s natural headshape:…

19 May 2011 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce secondary legislation under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and, if so, what regulation it is considering.

16 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive where it will set up the national lending unit proposed in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 does not propose a National Lending Unit. It contains wide ranging powers to enable local authorities to assist home owners with the repair and maintenance of their property, including the power to offer loans and other financi…

16 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses in Dumfries and Galloway are contracted to (a) survey properties, (b) install insulation and central heating systems and (c) supply materials under its Energy Assistance Package.

Answer · Keith Brown: Scottish Gas is responsible for contracting work under Stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package. Andy Smyth, Scottish Gas, advises that: Whilst two local businesses bid for contracts under the EAP Dumfries and Galloway neither have been contracted to (a) sur…

16 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used when assessing planning applications for businesses to which the access roads are also junctions from trunk roads.

Answer · Keith Brown: Under The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2008, planning authorities are required to consult Scottish ministers in relation to any planning application which may impact upon the trunk road network. This cons…

16 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the contracts with (a) surveyors, (b) installers and (c) suppliers providing services under its Energy Assistance Package are allocated.

Answer · Keith Brown: Scottish Gas is responsible for contracting work under Stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package. Andy Smyth, Scottish Gas Head of Energy Assistance Package has stated that: Contracts for all installers and other suppliers under the Energy Assistance Package …

11 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it remains its position that “the balance of public interest [is] not at present in favour of issuing licences for the control of birds of prey to protect non-native reared game birds “as stated by the Minister for Environment at the meeting of the Rural Affairs and Environment Co…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Yes.

3 Mar 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Transport Scotland will continue to be liable for the agent’s fees for individuals who had to employ agents to deal with the sale of land in connection with the proposed improvements to the A75 from Hardgrove to Kinmount.

Answer · Keith Brown: Once a decision is taken to acquire the land then Transport Scotland will pay agent''s negotiating fees, as recommended by the District Valuer, on acquisition of the land required for the Scheme.</p>

28 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is available for farm diversification for equine activities.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: There are a number of options under the Rural Priorities element of the Scotland Rural Development Programme, including diversification outwith agriculture and development/creation of micro-enterprises, aimed at supporting diversification to improve the viabi…

28 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what trunk road improvement schemes (a) have been completed since May 2007 and are (b) ongoing.

Answer · Keith Brown: The current Motorway and Trunk Road programme on the Transport Scotland website, provides information on the schemes completed and the schemes under construction. http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/motorway-and-trunk-road-programme.</b></p>

28 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the condition of the A75 between Hardgrove and Kinmount was last examined and what the findings were.

Answer · Keith Brown: The A75 trunk road between Hardgrove and Kinmount is currently inspected every Tuesday. The inspection undertaken on 1 March found no actionable defects.</p>

28 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether individuals whose land has been devalued as a result of planning decisions are eligible to apply for compensation.

Answer · John Swinney: In general, compensation is not due where planning permission is granted or refused. However, provisions, in specified circumstances, allow for compensation to be paid to owners whose land has been devalued as a result of planning decisions. The nature of suc…

28 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on preparations for the proposals for the improvements to the A75 from Hardgrove to Kinmount.

Answer · Keith Brown: Up to 31 March 2010, a total of £1.143 million has been spent on scheme preparation costs for the A75 Hardgrove to Kinmount Improvement. A further £0.547 million is anticipated this financial year.</p>

23 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive where members of the public can access its guidance to local authorities on the implementation of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Scottish Government guidance to local authorities in relation to the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 can be accessed through the Scottish Government''s website at:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/law/control-dogs">http://www.sc…

23 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether its guidance to local authorities on the implementation of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 was laid before the Parliament.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Yes. Ahead of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 coming into force on 26 February 2011, I wrote to Duncan McNeil MSP, convener of the Local Government and Communities Committee to provide a copy of the guidance. My officials also provided copies of the g…

23 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether members of committees of voluntary sector organisations such as hall committees can be held financially liable for debts incurred by the running of the organisation and, if so, what safeguards can be put in place to protect volunteers.

Answer · John Swinney: The legal form of an organisation will determine who is financially liable.</p> <p > Subject to parliamentary process, we expect the Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) to be introduced for new charities from 1 April 2011. This is a new for…

22 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers can call in a planning application regarding the demolition of a listed building when Historic Scotland has not requested such action.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: It is open to Scottish ministers to call-in any planning or listed building consent application they wish regardless of whether Historic Scotland has recommended this course of action. Most cases are, however, dealt with by Historic Scotland on Scottish minis…

22 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances ministers can call in a planning application regarding the demolition of a listed building.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-39750 on 3 March 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p >http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/…