Parliamentary questions

Maureen Macmillan

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

17 Mar 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the conclusions of the strategic review of inshore fisheries will be made available.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I have today published a Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland. The framework presents the conclusions of the strategic review of inshore fisheries and provides a direction for inshore fisheries management which balances biological, economic, …

17 Mar 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the network of wildlife conservation sites identified under the EC Habitats Directive will be formally designated as Special Areas of Conservation.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: We formally designated, on 17 March 2005, all 238 of the sites in Scotland that have been identified under the EC Habitats Directive. This represents a significant milestone in the protection of Scotland’s important habitats and species, with approaching one …

16 Mar 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the outcome of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council held in Brussels on 28 February 2005.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Margaret Beckett represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 28 February 2005. On agriculture, the council adopted by qualified majority a proposal concerning wood used in packaging material ent…

16 Mar 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it will employ to determine whether Scottish Natural Heritage's (SNH) licence application for a trial reintroduction of European beavers is approved.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The SNH licence application will be determined under section 16(4)(c) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Before reaching a decision on the application ministers will take into consideration all relevant factors, including the specific location a…

9 Mar 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many new schools have been built, and how many schools have been refurbished, since May 1999.

Answer · Peter Peacock: Local authoritieshave progressed more than 400 capital projects involving investment of over £250,000in a primary school and £500,000 in a secondary school, and they have built 99 newschools.

2 Mar 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve road safety on the trunk road network.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive addressesroad safety on the trunk road network on a number of fronts.Each year the Scottish Executivecarries out a systematic examination across the trunk road network in order to identifyaccident problem areas. This results in a…

25 Feb 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-14006 by Peter Peacock on 23 February 2005 regarding the Chartered Teachers Programme, when a breakdown by subject will be available.

Answer · Peter Peacock: This information is not held centrally. We have asked the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and the relevant Universities to provide the breakdown requested. I will arrange for officials to send you the information as it is received.

24 Feb 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made towards implementation of the Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004.

Answer · Hugh Henry: I am pleased to say that we are on track to implement the provisions of the Act in relation to child witnesses in High Court and Sheriff Court Solemn cases and Children’s Hearings court procedures from 1 April 2005 with one exception.The special measur…

23 Feb 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is in respect of the publication of the 2003 Fisheries Research Service survey of fish farms.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The publication of the 2003 annual production survey, a voluntary industry census, has been delayed whilst key production data is verified. The Scottish Executive expects to publish the 2003 survey shortly.

1 Feb 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers are on the Chartered Teachers Programme as a result of the Accreditation of Prior Learning process, broken down by subject and sector.

Answer · Peter Peacock: Almost 2,000 teachers are now actively involved in Chartered Teacher programmes. Of these, a proportion are pursuing accreditation of prior learning either with their programme provider or with the General Teaching Council for Scotland.The universities…

31 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consult on the changes planned to the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The consultation on that scheme begins today and full details of our proposals will be contained within the consultation paper.Copies of the consultation paper, Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme Consultation on Proposals for a Revised Sche…

5 Jan 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage community recycling initiatives in the Highlands.

Answer · Ross Finnie: We awarded over £500,000 in November 2004 to Highland Council to support five community recycling initiatives in the Highlands. We are also supporting the community recycling sector through the INCREASE programme, a grant scheme worth £5 million over two year…

5 Jan 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to market Scotland as a tourist destination overseas.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive has more than doubled VisitScotland’s budget since 2000, with a 28% increase in its marketing budget announced last March. In addition, some of this additional marketing funding is being matched by the private sector. VisitScotla…

19 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the outcome of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council to be held in Brussels on 22 and 23 November 2004.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I attended the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 22 and 23 November 2004 together with Margaret Beckett, Ben Bradshaw, Ian Pearson and Carwyn Jones.The Council, which opened on the first day in office of the new Commission, welcomed Comm…

4 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on relocating public sector jobs to Scotland’s more rural and remote areas.

Answer · Tavish Scott: We have made good progress. I am pleased to announce that we will relocate two Scottish Executive functions – the Crofting Building Grants and Loans Scheme (CBGLS) and the Central Enquiry Unit (CEU). The small unit administering the Crofting Building …

27 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will publish its annual report and accounts for 2003-04.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has published its eighth annual report and accounts today. The report contains details of SEPA’s achievements and activities during the period 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004. Copies of the annual report and acc…

26 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will fund the development and support costs for voluntary organisations that provide placements for Project Scotland volunteers.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive has allocated funding of £1.9 million, £3.5 million and £3.5 million to Project Scotland for 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 respectively. This includes resources for the development of new volunteering opportunities and volunteer costs. I…

26 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how Project Scotland relates to the work of the Russell Commission.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Russell Commission has been asked to consider the work done by Julia Ogilvy, chair of Project Scotland, on youth volunteering, in developing its proposals. It is intended that the Russell Commission will produce a framework for volunteering which should b…

26 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will involve Scotland in the Year of the Volunteer 2005.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Ministers are currently considering how to involve Scotland in this initiative.

6 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that local authorities consult retailers when developing their antisocial behaviour strategies.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive will issue guidance on Part 1 (antisocial behaviour strategies) of the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004. The guidance will make it clear that local authorities and their partners should consult relevant business organisation…

22 Sep 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the recent settlement in the firefighters pay agreement, it will allocate the agreed funding to develop services in the Highlands and Islands.

Answer · Hugh Henry: I am pleased to confirm that the Executive is releasing additional funding to assist the Highland and Islands Fire Board with its development plans. This will amount to a total of up to £3 million in this financial year, with similar or increased funding in f…

19 Jul 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the performance targets set for the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency for 2004-05.

Answer · Ross Finnie: For the year 2004-05 the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency’s financial resources will provide for the following inputs from the surveillance and enforcement assets at its disposal:Air: Total flying hours contracted 1,800Sea: Total available p…

13 Jul 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the key performance targets it has set for Fisheries Research Services for 2004-05.

Answer · Allan Wilson: I have set the following targets for Fisheries Research Services (FRS) for the financial year 2004-05.Delivery of Service:To achieve 93% of the performance targets set in the Schedules to the Service Level Agreement.To achieve 85% of the …

6 Jul 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is being given to NHS Orkney to support GP out-of-hours services, the new consultant contract, European Working Time Directive compliance and the implementation of Agenda for Change.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Information relating to funding for specific initiatives is not available centrally. NHS boards receive general allocations and it is for them to apportion these accordingly.In 2004-05, NHS Orkney received a general allocation of £28.86 million from wh…

23 Jun 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) funding could be granted to assist the purchase of a wellboat.

Answer · Ross Finnie: An application for FIFG aid to assist with the purchase of a new wellboat would be considered if it is presented by a fish farmer or group of fish farmers who would operate the vessel as an integral part of their fish farming business/es.

23 Jun 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether midwives can provide an appropriate standard of maternity care.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Yes. The midwife is the most appropriate professional to care for low risk women, and is the lead carer for the majority of women in the ante-natal labour and post-natal periods. But different levels of care are required by women depending on their health, th…

23 Jun 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that childcare is available for parents in areas of multiple deprivation.

Answer · Euan Robson: In the current financial year the Executive has allocated over £29 million to local authorities to implement the Childcare Strategy at a local level.Further funding has been made available through Sure Start Scotland to support families with very young…

17 Jun 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it is expected to make an announcement on the levying of council tax on second homes.

Answer · Andy Kerr: We expect to be able to make an announcement soon.

17 Jun 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the outcome of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council held in Brussels from 21 to 22 June 2004.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I attended the Agriculture andFisheries Council on 21 June in Luxembourg together with Margaret Beckett and Ben Bradshaw.On fisheries the Council adopted the conclusions of the Commission’scommunication on Environmentally Friendly Fishing Method…

2 Jun 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider further support for NHS dentistry, particularly to improve the premises from which services are provided.