Mary Scanlon

15 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether an environmental impact assessment is carried out when considering applications for new fish farms and, if so, what account it takes of the impact of the proposed farm on wild migratory salmonids.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: Marine and freshwater fish farms (both shellfish and fin fish) are authorised by local authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act 1997. Development of a type listed in Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning Environmental Impact Assessment) (S…

15 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what account it takes of the paths of migrating salmon and sea trout smolts (a) prior to and (b) following the granting of planning permission for the siting of fish farm cages.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: Marine and freshwater fish farms (both shellfish and fin fish) are authorised by local authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act 1997. Prior to determining an application the local authority conduct a detailed assessment of the potential impacts …

15 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the paths of migrating salmon and sea trout smolts are kept free from fish farm pollutants.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: Little is known about the paths of migrating salmon and sea trout smolts in Scottish waters. A major difference is that sea trout will spend extended periods of time in coastal waters while salmon simply move through such areas on the way to offshore feeding …

15 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it protects wild salmon and trout from lice.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: Sea lice are marine parasites that occur naturally on many different species of wild fish including wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout. Marine Scotland’s Fish Health Inspectorate monitors sea lice on fish farms through a programme of sea lice inspections and …

15 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) emamectin benzoate and (b) hydrogen peroxide is used in fish farms and, if so, how it ensures that its use does not impact on (i) human health, (ii) the environment and (iii) wild salmon and trout.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: Both emamectin benzoate and hydrogen peroxide are used on fish farms. The risk that any veterinary medicine might pose to human health or the environment is considered by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate during the authorisation process for new medicines.…

15 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the use of prophylactic antibiotics in aquaculture does not impact on (a) human health, (b) the environment and (c) wild salmon and trout.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: The risk that any veterinary medicine might pose to human health or the environment is considered by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate during the authorisation process for new medicines. A product will not gain a marketing authorisation under veterinary me…

15 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that fish farms adhere to the required withdrawal period between treatment of sea lice infestation and products entering the food chain, and what enforcement action has been taken when producers have not done so.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is the competent authority in the UK responsible for the testing of food producing animals for residues of authorised veterinary medicines products and prohibited substances. Sampling officers from Marine Scotland ta…

15 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of chronic lice infestation on fish farms have been reported in each of the last 10 years.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: Marine Scotland’s fish health inspectorate, monitor sea lice on fish farms through a programme of sea lice inspections and enhanced sea lice inspections. A basic sea lice inspection is conducted whenever aquaculture facilities in seawater are visited, an enha…

15 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many fish farms have been (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted in each of the last 10 years for not adhering to the guidelines and regulations governing their operation.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: The following information has been provided by Marine Scotland Science, The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) regarding the regulation of fish farms over the last 10 years: Marine Scotland Science - (a) 0 prosecu…

15 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that the rivers and lochs in the north west provide a healthy environment for wild salmon and trout.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: The River basin management plans (RBMP) introduced in response to the EU Water Framework Directive, identifying water bodies that are at risk of failing to meet good ecological status or good ecological potential and prioritises them for improvement. Assessme…

10 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have applied for retained firefighter duties and been (a) recruited and (b) rejected in each of the last five years.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The information requested is not held centrally. The recruitment of firefighters is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). The SFRS is under a statutory duty to ensure adequate arrangements for fire and rescue services in all 32 of Scotland…

10 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason compressors, used to maintain breathing apparatus, are being removed from 63 of 85 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service stations reviewed in the Highlands and Islands.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The information requested is not held centrally. The management choice and management of operational equipment, including compressors for breathing apparatus is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and questions regarding apparatus should …

10 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many freshwater pearl mussel sites have been found to be criminally damaged in each year since 2011.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: Since 2011, there have been 19 suspected criminal incidents against freshwater pearl mussels: Year Number of suspected criminal incidents 2011 4 2012 2 2013 8 2014 5 The increase in 2013 can in part be attributed to the work of the Pearls in Peril …

10 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to ensure that all local authorities have a sufficient number of planning officers and staff to ensure monitoring and enforcement to protect environment and wildlife from the impacts of development on rivers.

Answer · Alex Neil: As ‘responsible authorities’ under the Water Environment and Water Services Act 2003, local authorities, through the planning system, are expected to play a key role in protecting the water environment, by influencing the location and design of new developmen…

10 Jun 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been (a) prosecuted, (b) fined and (c) imprisoned for acts of (i) wildlife and (ii) environmental crime in each of the last 10 years.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The available information is given in the following tables. Wildlife crime as defined by The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime in Scotland (PAW Scotland): is any unlawful act or omission, which affects any wild creature, plant or habitat in Sco…

2 Jun 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the review of provision of NHS services on Skye.

29 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many drivers have been fined for speeding in each month since the speed cameras were installed on the A9 between Perth and Inverness; what the (a) average and (b) highest fine was, and what highest speed was recorded.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The operation and enforcement of the average speed camera system on the A9 is the responsibility of Police Scotland and the relevant safety camera units. The Scottish Government does not hold any of the requested information. This is a matter for Police Scotl…

29 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research has been done on the benefits to (a) physical health and (b) long-term chronic health conditions as a result of good mental health.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: There is a significant body of international scientific and medical literature on the relationships between physical and long-term health conditions and mental health.

28 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown by local authority on the primary school and S2 writing attainment levels set out at chapter 4.2 of the report, Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy 2014 (Literacy).

Answer · Alasdair Allan: In line with the survey’s key objective, the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy 2014 (Literacy) results are used to monitor and report achievement in reading, writing, listening and talking at P4, P7 and S2 at a national level. The survey was designed t…

27 May 2015 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what evaluation has been done on the effectiveness of its training courses.

26 May 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what management structures it considers would be the best model for the Crown Estate rural holdings following responsibility being devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: At present the Scottish Governments focus is to first see the Crown Estate devolved, any decisions taken on the future management structure for the rural estate will form part of a consultation process which would include consulting with tenant farmers.

20 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the results of the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy 2014 (Literacy) report at P4, P7, and S2 by local authority area.

Answer · Angela Constance: In line with the survey’s key objective, the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy 2014 (Literacy) results are used to monitor and report achievement in reading, writing, listening and talking at P4, P7 and S2 at a national level. The survey was designed t…

19 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what is being done in nurseries to (a) identify and (b) support children with both a hearing and visual impairment and their families.

Answer · Fiona McLeod: Under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, as amended, education authorities are required to identify, meet and keep under review the additional support needs of all children. This includes their planning and support throughout…

19 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will take forward plans to support the provision of lessons in BSL to parents of newborn deaf children, as set out in the 2011 SNP manifesto.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: We are taking forward plans to support the provision of British Sign Language lessons for parents of new-born deaf children, in line with our 2011 manifesto commitment. Over £0.5 million (2011-16) has been provided to the National Deaf Children’s Society f…

19 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the guidance for universal newborn health screening that was introduced in 2005 has not been published.

Answer · Fiona McLeod: Health for all children 4: Guidance on Implementation in Scotland, Getting it Right for Scotland's Children, which was published in 2005, set out the universal core programme for child health screening and surveillance in Scotland. This guidance included advi…

19 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to gather information on pupils with a (a) visual and (b) visual and other impairment.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The national annual pupil census collection includes information on pupils reported by education authorities as receiving additional support in school. This includes information on pupils whose additional support needs arise from a broad range of reasons, inc…

11 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address (a) floodwater issues, (b) overgrown vegetation, (c) road alignment, (d) the road camber, (e) the road crossfall and narrow width and (f) opportunities for overtaking on the A82.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Since 2007, the Scottish Government has invested more than £79.5 million in maintaining and improving the A82, including works at Pulpit Rock and Crianlarich Bypass. In addition, more than £1 million is being spent realigning the A82 at Glen Gloy between Fort…

5 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the contract for retained firefighters, and what impact reducing the commitment of them being on call for up to 120 hours each week would have on the numbers taking up the role.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Employment issues, such as recruitment, contracts and conditions of service are primarily a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), although clearly the Scottish Government recognises the challenge that recruitment and retention of retained du…

29 Apr 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS boards are notified when a dental practice is being investigated following a complaint.

Answer · Maureen Watt: In accordance with the Patient Rights (Feedback, Comments, Concerns and Complaints) (Scotland) Directions 2012, relevant NHS bodies including NHS health boards have a responsibility to gather and review information from their health service providers, includi…

29 Apr 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role NHS boards have in investigating patient complaints relating to general dental practitioners.

Answer · Maureen Watt: Those who provide NHS general dental services are required under their NHS terms of service to have arrangements in place in accordance with Section 15 of the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011, and any Regulations or Directions made under that Act. The Regul…