Parliamentary questions
Elaine Murray
2,411 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
26 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has made of the quantity of ozone depleting substances (ODS) in steel-clad buildings and the amount of ozone depleting emissions from this source since 2000.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21461 on 10 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/…
26 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive who is responsible for the safe disposal of plastic foam insulation containing ozone depleting substances (ODS) in steel-clad buildings when these buildings are being demolished.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21461 on 10 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/…
26 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that ozone depleting substances (ODS) contained in building foams in steel-clad buildings that are being demolished are disposed of in such a way as to minimise the environmental impact.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The recovery and disposal of CFCs in demolition waste forms part of a European Commission proposal to recast and amend the existing EC Regulation covering the elimination of man-made ozone-depleting substances (ODSs). The Scottish Government is working with t…
5 Feb 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what role the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture’s directorate will play in ensuring that there is a cultural legacy for Dumfries and Galloway from Homecoming Scotland 2009.
Answer · Linda Fabiani : <i > This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0205-01.htm">http://www.scot…
3 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the right to buy can be applied where a local community, in a settlement of fewer than 3,000 people, wishes to purchase a sports ground and related facilities that are for sale.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: A local community comprising a settlement of up to 10,000 people can register a community interest in land (and assets such as a sports ground and its related facilities). This threshold is applied by the Community Right to Buy (Definition of Excluded Land) (…
2 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on recognising and promoting national awareness days.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government recognises and promotes national awareness days internally through communication with staff, and externally through statements of support from ministers. We currently consider which events to recognise and promote on a case-by-case bas…
2 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-19571 by Richard Lochhead on 19 January 2009, what organisations are being consulted on the Report on the Implications of Castration and Tail Docking for the Welfare of Lambs published by the Farm Animal Welfare Council in June 2008.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Scottish Government officials have held discussions with the Scottish National Farmers'' Union, the Scottish Agricultural College and Quality Meat Scotland. Officials have also been informed of the views of Advocates for Animals.</p> <p >A full consultation…
30 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish ministers would need to approve a local authority decision to freeze or reduce the rent of local authority owned industrial units to assist small businesses.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20379 on 5 February 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps…
30 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities are prevented from assisting businesses by reducing or freezing the rent of local authority owned industrial units under section 74 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1974.
Answer · John Swinney: Under section 74 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, </b>local authorities may not dispose of land (including the rental interest in that land) at less than the best consideration that can reasonably be obtained without seeking the consent of the Sco…
30 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ministers in relation to (a) changes to the Forestry Act 1967 and its operation in Scotland and (b) proposals in the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill regarding the Forestry Commissioners.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: There have been no recent discussions between the Scottish Government and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ministers on these issues.</p>
29 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it issues guidance to local authorities regarding the temporary seasonal employment of persons whose work involves contact with children, such as people employed as Father Christmas and his assistants.
Answer · Adam Ingram: Each year during November and December, Disclosure Scotland places guidance on its website to be used by all organisations employing people to represent Father Christmas and his assistants.</p>
29 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications were made to Disclosure Scotland with regard to people employed as Father Christmas and his assistants prior to Christmas 2008.
Answer · Adam Ingram: During the 2008 Christmas Season, Disclosure Scotland has been able to identify 17 applications for people being employed to represent Father Christmas and his assistants.</p>
29 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average time taken was to process an enhanced disclosure submitted in (a) October, (b) November and (c) December 2008.
Answer · Adam Ingram: The information requested is not separately recorded for enhanced disclosures. However, information about the average processing time for a standard or enhanced disclosure issued during each month can be provided. The average turnaround time for standard and …
22 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it took in the accountability review of NHS Dumfries and Galloway to ensure that it achieved the recommended minimum ratio of supervisors of midwives to midwives of one to 15.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This issue was not specifically discussed at the annual review meeting on 23 June. However, I expect NHS Dumfries and Galloway to ensure that they meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council minimum standard of one supervisor to 15 midwives.</p> <p >All NHS board…
16 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding is available through rural development contracts for the Woods In and Around Towns initiative.
Answer · Michael Russell: Yes. Grants for urban woodland creation and management are available through Rural Development Contracts. In addition, the Woods In and Around Towns Challenge Fund and the Forestry for People Challenge Fund offer support for woodland-based projects.</p>
16 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Forestry Challenge Funds include the Woods In and Around Towns initiative.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT) initiative comprises a general focus for Forestry Commission Scotland''s work on improving quality of life in towns and cities, by creating new woodland, bringing neglected woodland into active management, and working with…
16 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Forestry Challenge Funds are part of the Scotland Rural Development Programme.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Yes.</p>
16 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether charitable trusts that own land can apply to the Scotland Rural Development Programme for funding for the creation of new woodlands.
Answer · Michael Russell: Land owners can register their business and land within the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) which allows them to become eligible for payments from the Scotland Rural Development Programme funding mechanisms. It does not matter whether they…
16 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what central and local government funding streams are available to the Glasgow and Clyde Green Valley Network.
Answer · Michael Russell: There is a range of central government funding streams from which bodies such as the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network may benefit. This includes grant-aid under the Scottish Rural Development Programme (e.g. Forestry Challenge Funds, Forestry Options un…
16 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what central and local government funding streams are available to the Central Scotland Forest Trust for planting new woodlands.
Answer · Michael Russell: Managers and owners of eligible woodlands within the Central Scotland Forest Trust area can apply for grant-aid generally available under the Scottish Rural Development Programme e.g. Forestry Challenge Funds, Forestry Options under Rural Development Contract…
16 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it is making available to Dumfries and Galloway Council for the control of seagulls and whether it has placed conditions on the use of this funding.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government is considering funding the trial use of a falcon to deter gulls from the centre of Dumfries. A decision will be made in due course.</p>
16 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recourse to arbitration or appeal permanent residents of caravans and chalets located on holiday-home sites with 12-month licences have against increases in pitch fees.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The rights of permanent residents of sites with residential licences, which can include holiday-home sites, are governed by the Mobile Homes Act 1983. This allows mobile home owners to have an agreement with the site owner allowing them to occupy their home o…
16 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many farm animal welfare inspections undertaken by Animal Health on (a) pig, (b) sheep, (c) dairy cattle, (d) beef cattle, (e) poultry (broiler chickens, ducks and turkeys), (f) laying hen and (g) other farmed animal units were for (i) monitoring compliance with EU animal welfare regu…
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Details of animal welfare inspections undertaken in Scotland by Animal Health are given in the following table:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td valign=top > <p align=center >2007</p> </td> <td valign=top …
16 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) pig, (b) sheep, (c) dairy cattle, (d) beef cattle, (e) poultry (broiler chickens, ducks and turkeys), (f) laying hen and (g) other farmed animal units underwent farm animal welfare inspections by Animal Health in (i) 2007 and (ii) 2008, also expressed as a percentage of each …
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Details of animal welfare inspections undertaken in Scotland by Animal Health are given in the following table:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td valign=top > <p align=center >2007</p> </td> <td valign=top …
9 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to review the regulations covering castration and tail docking of lambs following the Report on the Implications of Castration and Tail Docking for the Welfare of Lambs published by the Farm Animal Welfare Council in June 2008.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The government is presently consulting with stakeholders on the recommendations made by the Farm Animal Welfare Council in their report on the castration and tail docking of lambs in consultation with stakeholders. The report does not recommend a ban on these…
9 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-17557 by Richard Lochhead on 14 November 2008, what its timetable is for consultation on the replacement of the Pet Animals Act 1951.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: We anticipate that we shall issue a consultation paper on proposals for regulations to replace the Pet Animals Act 1951 towards the end of the year.</p>
9 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-478 by Richard Lochhead on 12 June 2007, what its timetable is for any consultation on draft licensing of livery yards legislation.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: It is anticipated that a consultation paper on proposals to require livery yards to be licensed will be issued in the autumn. </p>
9 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-478 by Richard Lochhead on 12 June 2007, what its timetable is for any consultation on draft licensing of animal sanctuaries legislation.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: It is anticipated that a consultation paper on proposals to require animal sanctuaries to be licensed will be issued before the summer recess.</p>
9 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-16437 by Richard Lochhead on 1 October 2008, whether it expects the new regulations on the licensing of dealers in puppies and kittens to come into force and, if so, when.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: It is anticipated that the regulations on the licensing of puppy and kitten dealers will come into force on 1 April 2009 subject to parliamentary agreement.</p>
9 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-16437 by Richard Lochhead on 1 October 2008, whether the revised draft regulations on the licensing of dealers in puppies and kittens have been laid before Parliament and, if not, when it expects them to be laid.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I expect to lay draft regulations on the licensing of dealers in puppies and kittens before Parliament by the end of January 2009.</p>