Parliamentary questions
Elaine Murray
2,411 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
11 Jun 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the reports of the National Steering Group of the Rural Partnership for Change Initiative will be published.
Answer · Jackie Baillie: I have today published two reports which I have received from the National Steering Group and made these available to the Social Justice and Rural Development Committees, on the Internet and to the Parliament's Reference Centre. One report describes the lesso…
24 May 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the provision of hormone replacement therapy in the NHS.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive has no plans to review the provision of hormone replacement therapy in the NHS.<P>Hormone replacement therapy is available on NHS prescription and its use depends on the clinical judgement of the doctor concerned.
24 May 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any funding it currently provides for services to help children affected by the domestic abuse of a parent.
Answer · Jackie Baillie: The Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund is providing £12 million over four years to improve local circumstances for women and their children suffering domestic abuse. Six of the projects currently supported are aimed specifically at children and young peo…
24 May 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the review of NHS nursing grades to be completed.
Answer · Susan Deacon: This matter is being considered as part of the ongoing discussions involving all four UK Health Departments on <I>Agenda for Change: Modernising the NHS Pay System </I>with key negotiations scheduled over the summer.
15 May 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the total (a) capital and (b) revenue budget is of each area tourist board in the current financial year.
Answer · Alasdair Morrison: The information requested is not held centrally.
15 May 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the total (a) capital and (b) revenue budget is of each local enterprise company in the current financial year.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: The allocation of local enterprise company budgets is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise. Neither body breaks down its allocations in terms of revenue and capital budgets.<P>Initial budget allocations for 2001-0…
15 May 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the total (a) capital and (b) revenue budget is of each local authority in the current financial year.
Answer · Angus MacKay: Revenue budget estimates are contained in the table. Forecast capital expenditure plans for the current year are not yet available.<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=538><TR><TD WIDTH="56%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=75><P></TD><TD WIDTH="44%" VALIGN="T…
15 May 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) sheep, (b) cattle and (c) other animals have been slaughtered in the Dumfries and Galloway area because premises were, or were suspected of being, infected with the foot-and-mouth virus, up to and including 15 May 2001.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The table shows the number of animals slaughtered. It should be noted that confirmed cases and slaughter on suspicion cases are regarded as "infected with" whereas dangerous contact cases are regarded as "exposed to".<P>Number of Animals S…
15 May 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) sheep, (b) cattle and (c) other animals have been slaughtered in the Dumfries and Galloway area under the pre-emptive foot-and-mouth cull strategy, up to and including 15 May 2001.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Up to and including 15 May 2001, the following numbers of animals were slaughtered:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=243><TR><TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=2><P>3km cull</TD></TR><TR><TD WIDTH="57%" VALIGN="TOP"><P>Sheep</TD><TD WIDTH="43%" VALIGN="TO…
15 May 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many premises in the Dumfries and Galloway area have been affected by the pre-emptive foot-and-mouth cull strategy, up to and including 15 May 2001.
Answer · Ross Finnie: 996 premises were affected by the sheep, goat and pig cull in the 3km zone.<P>130 premises were affected by the policy of culling all susceptible livestock on contiguous farms.
8 May 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the proposals set out in the recovery plan presented to the First Minister by the Dumfries and Galloway Partnership on 18 April 2001.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The First Minister is writing today to the Convenor of Dumfries and Galloway Council, setting out the Executive's interim response to the recovery plan. This interim response reiterates the Executive's commitment to doing what it can to assist Dumfries and Ga…
3 May 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11390 by Nicol Stephen of 10 January 2001, whether it intends to change the current system of funding for pre-school education to enable parents of children born in January and February to choose to defer entry to pre-school and primary education wit…
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The consultation with CoSLA on the report's recommendations has just been completed. I will make a full response next month.
3 May 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider the use of Article 33 of the Rural Development Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund as a means of encouraging diversification in rural economies such as Dumfries and Galloway.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I am currently exploring whether any part of the Rural Development Regulation, not just Article 33, could assist with the recovery of rural economies such as Dumfries and Galloway. The funding available is constrained, but I intend to launch soon new schemes …
30 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all the areas of its policy on the control and eradication of foot-and-mouth disease which differ from policy in England and Wales.
Answer · Ross Finnie: FMD Policy in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Executive. The priority has been to take all action necessary to control and eradicate the disease quickly and effectively based on the veterinary and epidemiological advice put before me which reflected all…
30 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why it has not adopted the same policy as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in relation to the protection of hefted flocks in areas affected by foot-and-mouth disease.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The special circumstances which apply to hefted flock have been and will continue to be recognised when applying SERAD culling policy. The priority, however, has been to avoid any risk of the disease being spread through our hill areas and beyond, with possib…
30 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the group set up to examine the economic consequences of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will report to the Parliament.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Impact Assessment Group which I announced on 8 March is providing ongoing advice to the Ministerial Committee for Rural Development FMD Sub-Group. Expert organisations such as visitscotland, the Enterprise Networks and the Sco…
26 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any evidence of the transmission of foot-and-mouth disease into the wild deer population in the south of Scotland and, if so, what the evidence is and how any such spread of foot-and-mouth disease is being tackled.
Answer · Ross Finnie: There is no evidence of transmission of foot-and-mouth disease into the wild deer population in the south of Scotland.
26 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) sheep and (b) cattle slaughtered as part of the pre-emptive cull had been disposed of by rendering as at 25 April 2001.
Answer · Ross Finnie: As at 2 May 2001, the number of cattle disposed of by rendering amounted to 12,506. All sheep have been buried.
26 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the liquid effluent from the Birkshaw Farm burial site for pre-emptively culled stock is to be removed and how and where it is to be disposed of.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The liquid is pre-treated on site in sealed containers to minimise any potential risk of spreading the FMD virus. It is then transported in sealed tankers for disposal at licensed waste management facilities.
26 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the Scottish Ambulance Service's bid for additional staff resources to enable it to comply with the European Working Time Directive and when an announcement on the result of this bid is expected.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The resources allocated in the Scottish Ambulance Service increased by £5.3 million in 2001-02 and a further £6.6 million in 2002-03 and £3.6 million in 2003-04. The Scottish Ambulance Service is reassessing the impact of the European Working Time Directive o…
26 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the availability of NHSiS dental treatment in rural areas and regions where levels of dental health are below the Scottish average.
Answer · Susan Deacon: Steps taken include:<DIR><DIR><P>Scottish Dental Access Initiative grants to encourage practitioners to set up or expand NHS practices in areas of unmet patient demand or high oral health need, including rural areas and the most deprived areas where dental he…
26 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it is taking to encourage the shooting and production in Scotland of major film projects.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive provides funding for Scottish Screen. Scottish Screen, together with local film commissions, promotes Scottish film locations and talent. Scottish Screen, as the National Lottery distributor for film production in Scotland, can also ass…
26 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Dumfries and Galloway Council regarding the costs the council has incurred in tackling the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the region and in alleviating the effects on local businesses and communities; whether it intends to reimburse the council for th…
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15654 on 10 May 2001.
25 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to minimise any possible unpleasant or ha'ardous side effects caused by the mass burial of pre-emptively culled stock at Birkshaw Farm near Lockerbie.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive is working with Health and Environmental Health officials of Dumfries and Galloway Council as well as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to ensure that public and environmental health considerations are taken fully into account …
24 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take action to ensure that further discussion takes place between the management of the Scottish Prison Service and the Scottish Prison Officers Association to attempt to resolve the current dispute over conditions of service and absence management.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Discussions between the Scottish Prison Service and the Prison Officers Association seeking a national framework for resolving issues about sta…
24 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers and departments are actively considering the proposals for economic recovery presented to the First Minister by Dumfries and Galloway Council and partner organisations on 18 April 2001 and when preliminary responses will be available.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15199.
24 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has sought advice from the Chief Medical Officer regarding any potential danger to public health caused by the mass disposal of pre-emptively culled stock by burning and burial.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The guidance issued by the Scottish Executive on 25 April, entitled <I>Measures to Minimise Risk to Public Health from Slaughter and Disposal of Animals</I>,<I> </I>addressed this issue and was drawn up in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer. A copy o…
24 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place between the State Veterinary Service and seconded vets regarding the implementation in Scotland of the pre-emptive slaughter policy to control foot-and-mouth disease.
Answer · Ross Finnie: This and other aspects of the strategy for controlling and eradicating the disease, has been discussed with veterinary surgeons who have been helping the State Veterinary Service.
24 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are used to communicate with residents in areas where the mass disposal of pre-emptively culled stock by burning or burial is planned.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The measures taken to communicate promptly with residents in the vicinity of disposal sites include a leaflet drop before any site becomes operational and where necessary more detailed information to those nearest the site. Discussions are held with local cou…
24 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish any additional mass burning sites for carcasses of pre-emptively culled livestock in Dumfries and Galloway.
Answer · Ross Finnie: In the current disease situation, there are no plans to operate mass burning sites. As a contingency against a significant change in the disease situation, we have identified possible locations for burning sites both in the east and west of the region, but we…