Parliamentary questions
Fiona McLeod
516 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
28 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the findings of the Scottish regional scenarios of climate change project will be published.
Answer · Allan Wilson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20478.
28 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will report on its project on the Scottish regional scenarios of climate change.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The findings of research entitled <I>An Exploration of Regional Climate Change Scenarios for Scotland </I>were published on 9 February and are available on the Executive's climate change website at <A HREF="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/climatechange">www.scotla…
27 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to amend the Control of Pollution Act 1974 to enable the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to tackle diffuse pollution directly.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Our recent consultation paper, <I>Rivers, Lochs, Coasts: The Future for Scotland's Waters</I> sets out proposals for improved control of diffuse pollution to be included in the forthcoming Water Environment and Water Services Bill. A copy of the paper is avai…
27 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to improve the nitrate-controlling programmes in vulnerable 'ones.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The EC Nitrates Directive requires that all land draining to waters which are polluted by nitrates must be designated as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs). An action programme of management measures, such as periods when certain fertilisers cannot be applied, m…
27 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which of the designated vulnerable 'ones failed to comply with EC Nitrates Directive 91/676/EEC between 1996 and 2001.
Answer · Ross Finnie: There are currently two Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) in Scotland, the Balmalcolm NVZ in Fife designated in 1996 and the Ythan NVZ designated in May 2000. However, the UK was been found to be in breach of the directive by the European Court of Justice (ECJ)…
27 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many vulnerable 'ones have been designated under EC Nitrates Directive 91/676/EEC between 1996 and 2001.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-20464.
27 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18838 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 22 November 2001, what specific steps are being taken to assist adults aged between 50 and 65 who have retired early on small pensions and cannot afford leisure course fees.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: Most leisure courses delivered in colleges of further education are part-time. Fees for part-time courses can be waived, and the cost reclaimed by the college, where the course is one which is eligible for core funding from the Scottish Further Education Fund…
20 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much public funding has been, or will be, received by Energy Action Scotland in each of the financial years (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02.
Answer · Iain Gray: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20150.
20 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been set for Energy Action Scotland for each of the financial years (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02.
Answer · Iain Gray: For each of the three years concerned, Energy Action Scotland (EAS) have been sponsored by the Scottish Executive. They have been set targets of securing and investing private sector resources to improve home energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty and of e…
20 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what applications have been received for grants from the Strategic Waste Fund in each of the financial years (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Strategic Waste Fund was established in November 2000 for the implementation of the National Waste Strategy. There were therefore no applications in 1999-2000. In 2000-01 32 applications from local authorities were received for a share of £3 million for r…
20 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of any unallocated year-end finance carried forward in the Strategic Waste Fund in each of the financial years (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01 and anticipated to be carried forward in 2001-02.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20147.
20 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any unallocated finance from the Strategic Waste Fund has been included in year-end flexibility figures for each of the financial years (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01 and is anticipated to be included in 2001-02.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Strategic Waste Fund was established in November 2000 for the implementation of the National Waste Strategy. There was no unallocated provision in 2000-01. Decisions on any unallocated provision in the current financial year will be made in due course.
16 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19409 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, regarding what issues its most recent representations were made to the European Union in respect of the Bathing waters Directive (76/160/EEC).
Answer · Allan Wilson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20057 on 20 December 2001.
16 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19409 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, to whom, and by which departments or non-departmental public bodies, its most recent representations were made to the European Union in respect of the Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC).
Answer · Allan Wilson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20057 on 20 December 2001.
16 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19409 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, when it last made contact with the European Union in respect of the Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC).
Answer · Allan Wilson: As I said in reply to question S1W-20055, contact with the institutions of the European Union on the Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC) is particularly frequent. These contacts are by letter, telephone, fax and e-mail as well as in face-to-face meetings. T…
16 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19408 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, why there are no plans to publish the results of the research undertaken during the 2000 bathing season by the Scottish Environmental Agency in respect of the proposed revision of the Bathing Waters Directiv…
Answer · Allan Wilson: As the answer to question S1W-19408 on 9 November 2001, stated, the research described was undertaken for the European Commission. It is for that body to decide on publication. A copy of the report has, however, been obtained from the Commission and is availa…
16 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19409 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, why the answer did not specify what representations had been made to the European Union.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Although relations with the European Union are a reserved matter, the Scottish Executive is in regular and frequent contact with its institutions about matters concerning the implementation of devolved responsibilities. Contact on the Bathing Waters Directive…
8 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has received of the number of staff who will take voluntary retirement as a result of the creation of Scottish Water in each of the financial years 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish water industry must become substantially more efficient over the next four years, with inevitable cuts in staffing levels, whether Scottish Water is created or not. I understand that under existing water authority redundancy schemes there have be…
8 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has received of the number of compulsory redundancies, if any, that will result from the creation of Scottish Water.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The existing water authorities do not have any programme of compulsory redundancies. Staffing policy under Scottish Water will be a matter for its management to consider if and when it comes into being.
8 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has established a mechanism to provide small businesses with practical, sector-specific advice and information on compliance with legislation and regulations relating to environmental issues.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Executive is part of the sponsor group for a UK-wide initiative called "Netregs" that will develop sector-specific, web-based, environmental regulation compliance tools for small-and-medium sized businesses. <P>A variety of guidance documents are produced…
7 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when (a) the Transport and the Environment Committee and (b) water authority staff will be publicly informed whether any redundancies are expected and, if so, how many there will be in (i) 2001-02, (ii) 2002-03 and (iii) 2003-04, should the three water authorities amalgamate into the prop…
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish water industry must become substantially more efficient over the next four years, with inevitable cuts in staffing levels, regardless of whether Scottish Water is created or not. Broad estimates of voluntary redundancies under existing water auth…
7 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the costs of merging the three existing water authorities into the proposed Scottish Water will be available to (a) the Parliament, (b) the three water authorities and (c) the public.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Estimates have already been supplied in the Financial Memorandum accompanying the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill. Audited figures will be available in the water authorities' accounts published next year.
7 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how any cost in excess of its estimated #3 million for merging the three existing water authorities into the proposed Scottish Water will be funded.
Answer · Ross Finnie: As the Financial Memorandum accompanying the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill states, the Scottish Executive will make a grant of £3 million to the water authorities as a contribution to the costs of transition. Costs in excess of this will be borne by the wate…
7 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs of merging the three existing water authorities into the proposed Scottish Water will be for (a) the Executive, (b) the existing individual water authorities and (c) Scottish Water in (i) 2001-02, (ii) 2002-03 and (iii) 2003-04.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the Financial Memorandum accompanying the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill, which provides estimates of the costs of the merger as far as they are available.
1 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the expectation of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency that agricultural run-off will be the most important cause of river pollution over the next decade, why bathing waters are not referred to in A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture.
Answer · Ross Finnie: <I>A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture</I> specifically mentions the significant role farmers have in tackling water pollution. Reducing potential threats to bathing waters is merely one manifestation of this role. Our strategy commits us to taking a …
1 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17121 by Rhona Brankin on 30 August 2001, when it now expects all 11 Area Waste Plans to be completed.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19159 on 14 November 2001.
1 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make funds available to help local authorities to comply with EC Regulation 2037/2000 with regard to the removal of o'one depleting substances prior to the dismantling or disposal of domestic refrigerators and free'ers.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The requirement to remove free ozone-depleting substances from domestic fridges and freezers (e.g. those in the cooling circuit) is an existing duty which local authorities already have to discharge. The requirement to remove trapped ozone-depleting substance…
1 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities are on target to meet the requirements of EC Regulation 2037/2000, regarding the removal of o'one depleting substances prior to the dismantling or disposal of domestic refrigerators and free'ers.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The requirements referred to come into effect on 1 January 2002. Local authorities, or their agents, should already be able to remove ozone-depleting substances from refridgerator cooling circuits. However, they will not be able to meet the deadline for remov…
1 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Priority Waste Stream Projects are due to commence.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Priority Waste Stream Projects are being taken forward by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) as part of <I>the National Waste Strategy: Scotland</I>. <P>Baseline studies to investigate the current position for several of the priority projec…
1 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funds it will make available to develop and implement the Priority Waste Stream Projects.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Priority Waste Stream projects are being taken forward by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) as part of the <I>National Waste Strategy: Scotland</I> (NWS). Additional grant-in-aid totalling some £16.5 million over the three-year period 2001…