Parliamentary questions

Eleanor Scott

233 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

25 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is confident that infectious salmon anaemia has been eradicated from Loch Sheilavaig.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) was never confirmed at Loch Sheilavaig. Following the implementation of control measures on suspicion of the disease, veterinary surveillance by the Fisheries Research Services did not reveal any evidence of the presence of ISA…

25 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any evaluation has been, or is being, made of the environmental impact of measures taken to control the suspected case of infectious salmon anaemia in Loch Sheilavaig.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The control measures in question were designed to prevent environmental impact. These controls were properly implemented under the supervision of the Fisheries Research Services. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the local authority environmental…

25 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the all clear signal, as announced on 19 May 2005, for infectious salmon anaemia in Loch Sheilavaig means that no further movement controls will be necessary.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Yes.

20 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will carry out a study of the economic importance of sea angling.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answers to questions S2W-15296 and S2W-16556 on 12 April 2005 and 24 May 2005 respectively. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: …

19 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much fertiliser, pesticides, herbicides and other chemical farm inputs was used and how much, and what value, was imported from overseas in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The estimated* number of tonnes and monetary values of fertiliser and lime used as inputs on Scottish farms, for 2004, are shown in the following table. For herbicides and other pesticides, only the values of the utilised inputs are illustrated, as tonnage fi…

19 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average size of farm holdings has been in each of the last 10 years.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The information requested is provided in the following table. It is derived from the June Agricultural Census returns. <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> Year</td> <td> Average Holding S…

19 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the single farm payment is being claimed by any farmers based on historical payments for land that they no longer farm and, if so, what the value is of any such claims.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Claimants of the Single Farm Payment must meet the definition in the regulations of being a “farmer”. They must have a holding of the minimum size or greater, and undertake an eligible agricultural activity to be eligible for the scheme. To receive payment fa…

19 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it provides any financial support to the British Fluoridation Society or other organisations that promote water fluoridation.

Answer · Andy Kerr: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-12230 on 25 November 2004. All answers 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/wa.se…

12 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the reports returned to it under section 3.10 of the licence conditions for the snaring of mountain hares, how many animals of each species were caught and what their status and fate was, broken down by species.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The information requested is: <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 width=378> <thead> <tr> <td> Year</td> <td> Species Snared Under Licence</td> <td> No. of Licences Issued By SEER…

12 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many licences for the snaring of mountain hares have been issued in each of the last five years; what time period each licence has been issued for, and how many of these licences are currently in effect.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The information requested is: <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> Year</td> <td> No. of Licences Issued by SEERAD </td> <td> Time Period</td> </tr> </…

25 Apr 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-9595 by Malcolm Chisholm on 29 July 2004, whether all of the provisions of Schedule 2 of the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004 will apply to (a) pesticides and (b) other non-pharmaceutical substances from 1 May 2005 and, if a…

Answer · Andy Kerr: In relation to the application of the provisions of the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004, I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-10008 on 7 September 2004. In relation to the other provisions which may apply, I refer the me…

25 Apr 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-10014 by Malcolm Chisholm on 7 September 2004, to which (a) pesticides and (b) other non-pharmaceutical substances the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004 will apply.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Responsibility for the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004 is a matter reserved to Westminster, the interpretation of the scope of the regulations is similarly reserved.

16 Mar 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the proposed legislation on the reform of the planning system will be introduced.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: We intend to introduce a Planning Bill during the current session of Parliament, which ends in March 2007.

2 Mar 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why it is under investigation by the European Commission for allegedly breaching environmental law in 32 cases.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answerjust given to question S2O-5788 on 10 March 2005.

23 Feb 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its responsibilities are for preventing damage to important features of candidate Special Areas of Conservation.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Article 6.2 of the Habitats Directive requires member states to take appropriate steps to avoid the deterioration of important habitats and the habitats of important species within Special Areas of Conservation. In Scotland, this is the overall responsibility…

23 Feb 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to help those patients with learning disabilities who are still in long-stay hospitals to move into their own accommodation in the community.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Home at last? report which was published in January 2004 is designed to ensure that this happens. It provides action points for local authorities and NHS partners so that suitable community based services are made available for people with learning…

16 Feb 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making on the development of forest crofting.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Officials from the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Development Department, Forestry Commission Scotland and the Crofters Commission will meet next month to consider how to take this forward.

26 Jan 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the needs of road users, other than drivers, will be provided for when the A96 is upgraded.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: We are taking forward a multi-modal study of the A96 between Inverness and the Airport, which is to be carried out in line with Scottish Transport AppraisalGuidance (STAG). The study will consider public transport, cycling and walking improvements as well as …

13 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve identification of the number of (a) children and (b) adults with an autistic spectrum disorder in secure settings following the publication of On the Borderline? People with Learning Disabilities and/or Autistic Spectrum Disorders in Secure, Forensic an…

Answer · Rhona Brankin: On the Borderline found that there is scope for raising awareness aboutpeople with learning disabilities and/or Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) acrossthe different disciplines in non-health care settings, including health, socialwork, social care, edu…

13 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has in its criminal justice strategy to reduce reoffending by (a) children and (b) adults with autistic spectrum disorders.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive report On the Borderline? People with Learning Disabilities and/or Autistic Spectrum Disorders in Secure, Forensic and other Specialist Settings (2004) looked into the number of people with learning disabilities in prison or in s…

12 Jan 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to identify and fill any gaps in the current understanding of the role of Scottish peatlands in sequestering carbon implicated in climate change.

Answer · Ross Finnie: There are many uncertaintiesassociated with behaviour of carbon in Scotland’s high organic soils. In light of this, the Executivehas commissioned, jointly with the National Assembly for Wales, research based onmodelling the behaviour of carbon and nitrogen in…

5 Jan 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that accurate statistics on cancer in Scotland continue to be available.

Answer · Andy Kerr: National statistics on cancer in Scotland are available from the cancer registration system for newly diagnosed patients, and from mortality records. Information is published regularly by NHS National Services Scotland (Information Services Division). There a…

5 Jan 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support the reopening of the abattoir on Islay.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive has not received any application or enquiry regarding support for the reopening of the abattoir on Islay.

17 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-11984 and S2W-12004 by Lewis Macdonald on 19 November 2004, what part of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 applies to listed features of interest of Ramsar sites to afford protection outside the candidate Special Area of Con…

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The habitat features of the Lewis Peatlands Ramsar Site designated under Criterion 1 of the Ramsar Convention are found wholly within the boundary of the Lewis Peatlands candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC). They therefore receive protection under th…

8 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the procedure is for, and what the implications are of, inclusion of a Ramsar site in the Montreux Record because of potential or actual adverse change in its ecological character and what information it has on the extent to which, in relation to Ramsar sites in Scotland, the procedu…

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Montreux Record was established at the 4th Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention in 1990. It is a listing of sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur. The main objective of th…

8 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-11985 by Lewis Macdonald on 19 November 2004, what part of section 38 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 deals with the management and protection from damage of Ramsar sites.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Section 38 of the Nature Conservation Scotland Act is concerned with ensuring that the existence of Ramsar sites is notified to relevant interested parties. The appropriate management and protection of Ramsar sites is secured by virtue of the classific…

8 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-11985 and S2W-11986 by Lewis Macdonald on 19 November 2004, whether the tests set by the EU Habitats Directive in relation to features of interest of Natura sites should also be applied to plans or projects with the potential to have an adverse aff…

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer to my answer to the question S2W-12891answered on 10 January 2005. 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/webap…

8 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-11985 and S2W-11986 by Lewis Macdonald on 19 November 2004, what mechanisms are in place to protect features of interest of Ramsar sites from damage where those features are not also listed as features of interest of the relevant Special Protection…

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Scottish Natural Heritage have advised there are no features of interest of Ramsar sites which are not also identified as features of interest of a relevant Natura site or SSSI.They have also advised that there is no instance where the land within the …

10 Nov 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many allergy specialists there are in the NHS.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Allergy management was only recognised as a specialty in 1999. Therefore, at present, treatment is provided by health professionals with an interest in allergies from a variety of specialties and disciplines, chiefly immunology but also respiratory medicine, …

4 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is in relation to Ramsar sites under the Ramsar Convention that are not also Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: It is Scottish Executive policy that all Ramsar sites receive the same level of legal protection as areas that have been designated as Special Protection Areas under the EC Birds Directive or candidate Special Areas of Conservation under the Habitats Directiv…