Parliamentary questions
Nora Radcliffe
316 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
18 Oct 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what preliminary work has been carried out in respect of how EU Directive 2004/35/CE on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage will be transposed into Scottish legislation or regulation; what consultation is planned, and when it anticip…
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive has worked with others, notably Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage and UK departments, to assess the impact of the Directive’s requirements and to prepare for public consultation on its transposition into …
18 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers Scotland to be compliant with the access to justice provisions of the Aarhus Convention and, if not, what steps it will take to ensure compliance.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Aarhus Convention and European environmental directives use the term “access to justice” to refer to access to the courts, or to other impartial bodies, to ask them to review the legality of the procedures of public authorities under certain environmental…
18 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has completed its review of environmental appeals and whether it will publish the results.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: Following an internal scoping study of a review of environmental appeals (which was completed in early 2004), we are taking this matter forward in the context of our consideration of the Partnership Agreement commitment on Environmental Courts.</p>
18 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-16156 by Ross Finnie on 10 May 2005, what progress has been made in its consideration of environmental courts; when its analysis of evidence from other jurisdictions will be complete, and whether it will publish the results.
Answer · Ross Finnie: An information paper on the role of environmental courts in certain other jurisdictions has been prepared and I am arranging for this to be placed in Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 37384) and on the Executive’s website</p>
21 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to expedite negotiations on the general dental services contract.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Negotiations with representatives of the dental profession on implementing the measures in the action plan for improving oral health and modernising NHS dental services in Scotland are on-going. These measures contain a number of fundamental changes to the co…
3 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the work of the Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland future generation group.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland (FREDS) has completed this work and I am publishing its report today (copies of which can be obtained at the Scottish Parliament Information Centre Bib. number 36765). FREDS believes that Scotland is well…
9 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the status is of the application under the terms of the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 to dispose of the low-level waste from the UK Atomic Energy Site at Dounreay to Drigg in Cumbria.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has consulted widely on the proposal to dispose of low-level waste from the UKAEA site at Dounreay to Drigg in Cumbria. It sent a copy of its minded-to-grant authorisation to the Scottish Executive on 9 February this…
22 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2O-1781 by Allan Wilson on 25 March 2004, what progress it has made on its consideration of environmental courts; when it expects to make an announcement, and what plans it has for public consultation on this issue.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Work is in progress to consider the evidence from a number of jurisdictions of the most effective mechanisms for determining a range of criminal and non-criminal environmental cases.</p>
22 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of total carbon emissions is attributable to the cement-making process.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Scottish greenhouse gas emissions data are available in <i>Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: 1999-2002, </i>a copy of which has been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 34590) and are also avail…
22 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has commissioned, or is aware of, any studies that assess the carbon emissions from the sourcing of materials for, or the manufacture, transportation and use of, cement.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Scottish greenhouse gas emissions data are available in <i>Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: 1999-2002, </i>a copy of which has been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 34590) and are also avail…
22 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what changes to how it considers flood defence schemes it will make as part of its review of the Scottish Climate Change Programme.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive’s review of its Climate Change Programme is on-going. Adaptation to the impacts of climate change is a key aspect of the review. Given that an increase in flood risk is one of the more significant consequences of climate change for Scot…
22 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment of the full life cycle of carbon emissions it makes when considering flood defence proposals.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: At present, the Executive does not undertake, or require local authorities to undertake, a full life assessment of the carbon emissions associated with a flood prevention scheme. We are, however, developing an approach to sustainable flood management which wi…
22 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-12204 by Lewis Macdonald on 25 November 2004, when it will issue a discussion paper on its proposals for the designation of responsible authorities under section 2 of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Executive plans to issue a discussion paper on its proposals for the designation of responsible authorities under Section 2 of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 within the next three months.</p>
22 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-12204 by Lewis Macdonald on 25 November 2004, what progress it has made on publishing technical guidance for local authorities on the design of sustainable flood management schemes and when the guidance will become available to local authorities to i…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The National Technical Advisory Group on Flooding Issues (NTAG) was set up to offer advice to the Executive on the preparation of technical guidance for local authorities looking to take forward flood prevention schemes. It also produced a definition, objecti…
22 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-12205 by Lewis Macdonald on 25 November 2004, when it will publish the recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Group on Flooding Issues; whether these will include recommendations on the definition, objectives and principles for sustainabl…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The National Technical Advisory Group on Flooding Issues (NTAG) presented its conclusions to the Executive in December 2004 in a final report, which is published on the Executive’s website at <ahref="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Water/Floodin…
20 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement it will have in the review of low-level radioactive waste management policy recently announced by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and what the review involves.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The review of policy for the long-term management of the UK's low-level radioactive waste (LLW) has been agreed by the Scottish ministers and ministers of the UK government and the other devolved administrations.</p> <p>LLW is generated by a wide range of act…
18 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what percentage of, responses to its consultation on a strategic framework for the marine environment supported a Marine Act for Scotland.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Of the 104 substantive responses received to the consultation on developing a strategic framework for Scotland’s marine environment, 42 respondents (40%) were in favour of a Marine Act for Scotland.</p> <p>In addition, 730 responses were received as part of a…
18 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how Charting progress: an integrated assessment of the state of UK seas will be used in the process of developing a strategic framework for the marine environment.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-16054 on 28 April 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/webapp/wa.…
18 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take on marine environment issues following the publication of Charting progress: an integrated assessment of the state of UK seas.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive was fully involved in producing Charting Progress through scientific contributions from the Fisheries Research Services. I intend to use the report to help develop appropriate base-lines from which to monitor improvements in Scotland’s …
17 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any further guidance has been issued on the judgement in the case of Shimizu (UK) v Westminster City Council since Circular 1/2001 was issued on 22 January 2001 and whether conservation area consent is required for partial demolition within any conservation area under the Town and…
Answer · Johann Lamont: No further guidance has been issued on this matter. Currently, conservation area consent is not normally required for the partial demolition of buildings (including unlisted gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure) in conservation areas. Under the To…
2 Mar 2005 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to extend opportunities to enter the workforce to people with disabilities.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Employmentopportunities for disabled people are provided under UK legislationthrough the job search and support offered by Jobcentre Plus and the New Deal forDisabled People.</p><p>The Disability Discrimination Act1995 protects disabled people from unlawful d…
2 Mar 2005 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will reform planning guidelines to ensure that new housing includes provision for kerbside collection of recyclable material.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: This was done in <i>PlanningAdvice Note 63: Waste Management Planning</i> published in February 2002. We arereviewing the guidelines, and indeed all aspects of planning and waste, as partof our review of <i>National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 10: Planni…
3 Feb 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 24 January 2005.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Margaret Beckett represented the United Kingdom at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 24 January 2005.</p><p>Being the first Council of their Presidency, Luxembourg presented their work programme for the next six months. Amongst their top pr…
14 Jan 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make a statement on the actions it plans to take following the completion in 2004 of the consultation, Modernising NHS Dental Services in Scotland.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: We now expect to make the Executive response in the coming weeks.</p>
21 Dec 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the outcome of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council held in Brussels on 21 and 22 December 2004.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I attended the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 21 and 22 December 2004 together with Margaret Beckett, Ben Bradshaw and Ian Pearson.</p><p><b>On fisheries</b>, the Council agreed the total allowable catches(TACs) and quotas for 2005.</p><p>Si…
15 Dec 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by the Energy Intermediate Technology Institute.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Deputy First Minister met the ITI Energy Chief Executive in September. Good progress is being made in what is a long-term project. ITI Energy has a high quality management team and advisory board in place and in its foresighting work has engaged with a wi…
24 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to bring parts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 into force and whether it will specify the date from which relevant associated strategies, guidance and other measures, including in particular the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, will have effe…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The remaining provisions of Parts 1, 2 (except for section 22), 4 and 5 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (“the 2004 Act”) come into force today. </p><p>Commencement is provided for in the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (Commencement No…
18 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what activities its Development Department has engaged in to tackle homophobia in the last year and how it intends to proceed in this regard over the next year.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive firmly believes that there is no place in Scotland for homophobic prejudice or discrimination. Our Equality Strategy provides a framework for all departments to tackle prejudice and discrimination and promote equal opportunities.</p><p>…
18 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what activities its Environment and Rural Affairs Department has engaged in to tackle homophobia in the last year and how it intends to proceed in this regard over the next year.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-12362, answered on 1 December 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.scotti…
18 Nov 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what activities its Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department has engaged in to address homophobia in the last year and how it intends to proceed in this regard over the next year.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-12362, answered on 1 December 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p><p><a href="http://www.scott…