Parliamentary questions
Irene McGugan
716 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
30 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm that its intention is to make the Skye Bridge toll free no later than the end of Skye Bridge Ltd's concession.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: It is our intention that when the bridge has been paid for that the tolls will cease. In the meantime we have delivered our commitment to freeze the tolls at 1999 levels for the remainder of the concession.
21 Sep 1999 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer what criteria are applied in sourcing products sold in the Parliament Shop.
Answer · David Steel: The Scottish Parliament Shop exists to supply a range of high quality items to Members, staff and the general public. The product range includes a high proportion of exclusively branded items that are not for sale elsewhere.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The specific con…
16 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to re-open the railway station at Laurencekirk and resume commuter services to and from Aberdeen and Dundee.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: I understand that ScotRail and Railtrack are at present with Aberdeenshire Council, considering the operational and financial implications of having the Aberdeen-Glasgow/Edinburgh services stop at Laurencekirk. I await the results with interest.
16 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline its strategy to facilitate improvements in rail infrastructure in non-urban areas.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Within the overall framework of the Partnership Agreement, The Scottish Executive will seek to ensure the provision of suitable transport infrastructure and services to rural and island communities in order to sustain and develop their social and economic wel…
9 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that a conflict of interest is publicly perceived to exist in relation to Lord Rodger of Earlsferry's involvement in Court of Appeal judgements and refusal of leave to appeal in cases concerning persons refusing to pay the A87 toll at Skye, given that he may have been…
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have no information on which to base an assessment of public perceptions of this matter.
3 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it accepts that there is reasonable doubt about any criminal prosecution of members of the public accused of non-compliance under the Skye Crossing Toll Order (SI 1992/1501) given the terms of section 5(2) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 whereby a statutory defence is provid…
Answer · Andrew Hardie: The statutory defence afforded by section 3(2) [not 5(2)] of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 applies "in any proceedings for an offence consisting of a contravention of any <U>such</U> statutory instrument", that is to one "printed and sold by the Queen's …
26 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what in outline is the role of the Food Standards Agency in Scotland and the nature and degree of its areas of responsibility.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The role of the Food Standards Agency in Scotland will be to improve food safety, standards and the protection of public health in relation to food. It will advise Ministers and the public on food safety and standards issues, bringing together existing respo…
26 Aug 1999 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what in outline is the role of the Food Standards Agency in Scotland and the nature and degree of its areas of responsibility.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The role of the Food Standards Agency in Scotland will be to improve food safety, standards and the protection of public health in relation to food. It will advise Ministers and the public on food safety and standards issues, bringing together existing respo…
19 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps will be taken to assure the public that complaints against senior police officers are properly investigated.
Answer · Jim Wallace: A system of investigating complaints against the police has been in place for many years involving internal investigations within forces and, where appropriate, external investigation by another force. Allegations of criminal complaints are independently inve…
19 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers the recently introduced procedures used by police boards in addressing complaints against senior officers to be adequate.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Police (Conduct) (Senior Officers) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 provide a modern framework for dealing with complaints against senior officers. The guidance which was issued to accompany the new Regulations should ensure that the Regulations are applied co…
19 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to promote research into the development of products made from recyclable waste.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: We are committed to increasing recycling where it provides benefits by saving natural resources, reducing energy consumption and waste disposal, and cutting costs to business.<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>On 18 August, I was pleased to launch a new project, RE…
19 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the proposed closure of the Victoria House hostel for homeless people will impact on its stated aim to end the need for rough sleeping by 2002.
Answer · Jackie Baillie: There should not be any adverse impact, since I understand from Aberdeen council that this closure will not occur until suitable alternative services are in place.
19 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the benefits to Aberdeen City Council's financial position of closing the Victoria House hostel for homeless people outweigh the negative impact which the closure will have on the council's ability to fulfil its centrally funded rough sleepers initiative project.
Answer · Jackie Baillie: Scottish Ministers attach a high priority to tackling homelessness in general and rough sleeping in particular. The discharge of its homelessness responsibilities is however an operational decision for each local authority. I understand from the council that …
19 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers it appropriate that under the new complaints procedure regulations, a police board can find a complaint to be 'unfounded' without any requirement for investigation.
Answer · Jim Wallace: A police authority must satisfy itself that it has sufficient information before deciding that there is no case for an officer to answer. The Police Authority would carry out a preliminary investigation which could mean obtaining further information from the …
9 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commission an investigation into the economic potential of organic food production in Scotland and an assessment of the environmental and economic impact of organic farming.
Answer · Ross Finnie: A review of the organic farming sector in Scotland, including an assessment of the environmental and socio-economic impacts of organic farming, is currently under way. A report is expected later this year, a copy will be placed in the Parliament library.
9 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it intends to implement to enable Scottish agriculture producers to meet the growing consumer demand for organic produce.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Financial support is already available through the Organic Aid Scheme (OAS) to encourage farmers to convert to organic farming methods. It is my hope that increased payment rates, which should be available by October subject to approval of this Chamber, will…
9 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive to specify the number of voluntary sector projects established with time-limited public funding which have managed to secure continuation funding, or which have ceased operation because they were unable to secure long term funding.
Answer · Jackie Baillie: I<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2>t is estimated that public sector funding of the voluntary sector in Scotland totals approximately £742 million. Most of this money will be distributed by a range of public authorities to a very large number of voluntary organisatio…
9 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to address the issue of possible disruption to users of voluntary sector projects which are discontinued due to lack of continuation funding, and to assess the impact of any consequent additional workload and expenditure on statutory services.
Answer · Jackie Baillie: It is already standard practice to assess the impact on services when applications are received for grants or for renewals. Given that resources are finite, a balance may then have to be struck between continuing existing grants and accepting new applications…
9 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to set targets for the production of organic food.
Answer · Ross Finnie: No. While we are keen to encourage the production of organic food, it is for the industry to react to the demands of the market.
9 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to evaluate the time-limited approach to the funding of voluntary sector projects and, if so, what type of evaluation it plans to make.
Answer · Jackie Baillie: A new code setting out good practice in government funding of voluntary organisations is being prepared for issue later this year. It will confirm the Government's commitment to providing 3 -year core grants, which can be renewed subject to a continuing need …
9 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support farmers wishing to convert from conventional to organic farming.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Financial support for farmers wishing to convert is already available through the Organic Aid Scheme. The Scheme provides payments for 5 years on a sliding scale. I expect to make regulations to set increased payments this Autumn.<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>…
22 Jun 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive to detail with whom it intends to consult prior to making decisions regarding the Food Standards Agency in Scotland.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The proposals for the Food Standards Agency, including those for Scotland, have been subject to thorough consultation at the White Paper and draft Bill stages and during pre-legislative scrutiny. The Scottish Executive has also consulted MSPs by means of a f…
22 Jun 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it envisages the Food Standards Agency being operational in Scotland.
Answer · Susan Deacon: Subject to the successful passage of the Food Standards Bill, it is expected that the Agency will become operational UK-wide by mid-2000.
22 Jun 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to make a decision as to the location of the Food Standards Agency in Scotland.
Answer · Susan Deacon: No decision has yet been taken on the location of the Scottish arm of the Food Standards Agency. This matter will be considered and an announcement will be made in due course.
15 Jun 1999 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what compensatory measures it intends to take, in light of the demise of Rural Forum, to ensure that the views and concerns of individuals and organisations in rural Scotland continue to be highlighted, and their particular interest promoted.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Rural Forum offered useful support to a wide range of community and voluntary groups in Scotland. I would like to see that support continue but it is important that, if another body is established, it reflects the needs of these people. I support the sugges…
10 Jun 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what compensatory measures it intends to take, in light of the demise of Rural Forum, to ensure that the views and concerns of individuals and organisations in rural Scotland continue to be highlighted, and their particular interest promoted.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Rural Forum offered useful support to a wide range of community and voluntary groups in Scotland. I would like to see that support continue but it is important that, if another body is established, it reflects the needs of these people. I support the sugges…