Parliamentary questions
Nora Radcliffe
316 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
24 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in the designation of river basin districts required by the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003.
Answer · Allan Wilson: I have today approved thedraft designation order for a single river basin district for Scotland.This is the sole issue remaining for transposition of the water framework directive.</p><p>The designation has beensupported by key stakeholders, who believe that …
6 Nov 2003 · 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 17 November 2003.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I attended the one-dayAgriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 17 November 2003 together with Margaret Beckett andBen Bradshaw.</p><p>On fisheries, three itemswere on the agenda. The first was a presentation by the Commission on thisyear’s scientific …
5 Nov 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to assist probationer teachers placed at schools many miles from their homes.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The TeacherInduction Scheme guarantees a one-year training post with a Scottish localauthority to every eligible probationer teacher. Although no guarantee isgiven, in the two years the scheme has run, all eligible students have beenoffered a place within one…
28 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2563 by Allan Wilson on 6 October 2003, what percentage of the current total area of ancient woodland in Scotland under Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) protection received such protection in each year since 1993.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The percentage of thecurrent total area of ancient woodland in Scotland which has received SSSI protection in each yearsince 1993 is shown in the following table.</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> <p> </p> </td> <td> …
15 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the Agicultural and Fisheries Council held in Brussels on 13 October 2003.
Answer · Ross Finnie: On fisheries, two items wereon the agenda. There was a brief presentation by the Commission of proposals tomanage fishing in the Mediterranean and agreement of a proposal for a regulation on themanagement of fishing effort in western waters.</p><p>The new wes…
1 Oct 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding reports before the results of the field-scale evaluations are known of the department's possible approval for commercial GM crops.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Ministersand officials are in regular discussions with Defra on a range of issues.</p><p>Despite media reports, I reiteratethe Executive’s position that no decisions will be taken on the possible commercialisationof GM crops, until we have had the opportunity…
18 Sep 2003 · 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 29 and 30 September 2003.
Answer · Ross Finnie: On agriculture, the main item of business was on genetically modified organisms (GMO). The Commission presented to the Council a recommendation on guidelines for strategies to ensure the co-existence of GM and non-GM crops, which it had published in July. The…
12 Sep 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will monitor the success of the Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme (SFGS) and the SFGS: Farmland Premium scheme in achieving the goals set out in the Scottish Forestry Strategy.
Answer · Allan Wilson: A review will be carried outin 2004 in order to assess the uptake of the SFGS and SFGS: Farmland Premium. Thiswill examine the level of demand for individual components of the grants schemeand compare overall uptake with the former Woodland Grants Scheme and …
12 Sep 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the level of funding available under the Scottish Forestry Grants: Farmland Premium to increase the diversity of the farmed landscape and provide an opportunity to integrate forestry and farming, helping to ensure that complementary land use can enhance over…
Answer · Allan Wilson: The level of funding available for the Scottish ForestryGrants Scheme/Farmland Premium is assessed regularly to ensure sufficient fundsare available to meet demands from those wishing to enter the scheme. Assessmentis also carried out to ensure funds are avai…
12 Sep 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for the afforestation of less favoured area (LFA) and non-LFA agricultural land
Answer · Allan Wilson: In reviewing the Woodland GrantScheme (WGS) and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS), the steering group (representingforestry, farming and environmental interests) recommended that Farmland Premiumpayment rates be simplified to fit three categories: non-LFA (…
12 Sep 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to encourage multi-benefit forestry practices by forest owners and managers across Scotland.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Following publication of ourForestry Strategy <i>Forests for </i><i>Scotland</i><i> </i>in 2000, theWoodland Grant Scheme and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme were subject to a reviewand recently given a greater Scottish focus. The review concluded that the new g…
12 Sep 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage the certification of forests managed by local authorities in line with the UK Forest Partnership for Action.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The UK Forest Partnership forAction is a unique initiative, whose members - forest and forest products industries,environmental groups, the Executive and the other administrations in the UK - have agreedto work in partnership to promote sustainable developmen…
12 Sep 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of Scotland's ancient woodland is afforded Site of Specific Scientific Interest protection.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Using the <i>Inventories of ancient,long-established and semi-natural woodland for Scotland</i>, the percentage of Scotland’sancient woodland afforded Site of Special Scientific Interest protection is 48%.</p>
12 Sep 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to protect Scotland's ancient woodlands.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Our policies are set out in the Scottish Forestry Strategy which aims to meet Habitat Action Plan targets for maintaining,expanding and restoring native woodlands, including ancient woodlands. Prioritythemes for current action include improving management of …
3 Sep 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring the action local authorities are taking to meet their recycling targets.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Statisticson waste recycled by local authorities are collected by the ScottishEnvironment Protection Agency. The Executive is monitoring local authorityaction on meeting recycling targets through our assessment of bids under theStrategic Waste Fund. Under the…
17 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how, and with whom, it will undertake informal consultation during the summer recess before publishing a consultation paper on the establishment of a national correctional agency.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The informal consultation will involve local authority interests, relevant voluntary organisations and the relevant trades unions. Ministers will also be reviewing comparative information on the workings of criminal justice systems overseas and elsewhere with…
14 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1179 by Ross Finnie 26 June 2003, whether it will report on the non-CAP outcomes of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council held in Brussels in June 2003.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Agriculture and Fisheries Council met on 11 and 12 June, adjourned and then resumed on 17, 18 and 19 June and again on 25 and 26 June.<P>On agriculture negotiations on CAP reform formed the main business at this extended Council meeting. On other matters,…
26 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the Common Agricultural Policy reform negotiation at the Agriculture Council on 25 and 26 June 2003.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Agriculture Council reached agreement on a CAP reform package at around 7.00am on 26 June after an all-night sitting. This was the culmination of detailed final discussions and negotiations over the last three weeks.<P>The deal is a very good one for Scot…
10 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will begin consulting on a strategy to protect and enhance the coastline, including the establishment of a national coastline park, marine national parks and the management and rental arrangements for the sea-bed, as referred to in A Partnership for a Better Scotland.
Answer · Allan Wilson: We are committed to implementing the EU Recommendation on integrated Coastal Zone Management. As a first stage we are undertaking an audit, or stocktake, of the current management arrangements for the coast. This is expected to be completed by March of next y…
17 Mar 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Grants) (Scotland) Scheme will be launched.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The scheme will be launched in mid April. Farmers in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones will be notified when they receive their copy of the action programme guidance. Guidance on the grant scheme, application forms and ranking advice will be available to the farming c…
14 Mar 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the results of, and its response to, last year's consultation Scotland's Renewable Energy Potential - Beyond 2010.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I am publishing today the Scottish Executive's response to this consultation document. Our response confirms that we are adopting a renewable electricity generation target of 40% by 2020, and sets out the actions which we believe will enable us to successfull…
12 Mar 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to stimulate the market for recycled goods.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The development of markets for recycled goods is a key objective of our National Waste Plan. The Executive supports two market development initiatives - the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and Recycling Market Development (REMADE) Scotland to help…
7 Mar 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its draft Nature Conservation (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The draft bill, together with an accompanying policy statement on wildlife crime, will be launched on Tuesday 11 March. Consultation on the bill will run until Friday 6 June 2003. Introduction of the bill to Parliament, following consultation, will of course …
26 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage uptake is for concessionary travel entitlements within the eligible pensioner population nationally and in each local authority area.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The information requested is not held centrally.
26 Feb 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of English, Welsh and Scottish Railways and what issues were discussed
Answer · Iain Gray: The Scottish Executive meets representatives of the various parts of the rail industry in Scotland on a regular basis, including English, Welsh and Scottish Railways.
29 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made regarding the introduction of action programmes for farmers in nitrate vulnerable 'ones.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Last April, I announced consultation on the proposed action programme measures for farmers in nitrate vulnerable zones. During the consultation period stakeholders raised concerns about the cost of the proposed action programme measures. I have listened to th…
6 Jan 2003 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Executive is taking in respect of potential removal of insurance cover for homes at risk of flooding and whether any representations are being made to representative bodies of the insurance industry in order to highlight any different circumstances in Scotland.
Answer · Jack McConnell: Regular meetings take place with the Association of British Insurers (ABI)to discuss flood risk including, most recently, the on-going provision of insurance cover.<P>Scotland's generally good flood insurance record has been highlighted to the ABI as has, amo…
20 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish any scientific evidence it has that shows that killing mergansers and goosanders on rivers has resulted in an increase in migratory fish stocks and in what rivers stocks have so increased.
Answer · Allan Wilson: We do not have any such formal evidence. However, we know that significant predation by piscivorous birds occurs towards the end of the freshwater phase of the life cycle of migratory fish. The effect of this is to reduce the numbers of juvenile fish that emi…
20 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Natural Heritage and other wildlife experts are consulted before licences to kill piscivorous birds are issued; on how many occasions licences have been issued against the advice arising from any such consultation in each of the last three years, and whether the scientifi…
Answer · Allan Wilson: Advice on each application received is sought from Fisheries Research Services (FRS) Freshwater Laboratory, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), and Scottish Agricultural Science Agency (SASA) Pesticide Usage and Wildlife Management Group. <P>In the last three ye…
20 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many licenses have been applied for by fisheries boards to cull piscivorous birds in each of the last five years; how many applications for such licenses were approved, and how many birds were shot under each licence, broken down by species.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The following table shows bird licences that have been applied for by District Salmon Fishery Boards in the last five years. Licences are issued between 1 September and 30 April.<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=557><TR><TD WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="T…