Rhoda Grant

13 Mar 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in meeting the target of creating a network of learning centres around the country.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: Scottish University for Industry Ltd was charged by the Executive to develop a national network of 300 learndirect scotland branded learning centres by 31 March 2002. It has achieved its target a month ahead of schedule and there are now 301 branded learning …

5 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will release details of the Action Programme measures which must be followed by farmers in the Ythan Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.

Answer · Sam Galbraith: A consultation paper on proposals for the Ythan Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) action programme will be released today. Arrangements have been made for copies to go directly to farmers in the Ythan NVZ.<P>We must tackle the problem of excess nitrate lost from …

29 Jan 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out its policy priorities and programme for government.

Answer · Henry McLeish: The policy priorities and programme for government of the Scottish Executive are encapsulated in <I>Working together for Scotland - a Programme for Government</I>, published today. It sets out what the Executive has done, and what we will do in the future to …

29 Nov 2000 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance its Rural Affairs Department is giving to crofters.

Answer · Ross Finnie: In the last financial year, spending on support exclusively or mainly for crofters amounted to just over £7.2 million. In addition, crofters received a share of almost £95 million spent in support of agricultural activity in the Highlands and Islands.

15 Nov 2000 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to tackle bullying in the workplace.

Answer · Angus MacKay: Robust grievance and disciplinary procedures are in place to address the question of bullying in the Scottish Executive.

13 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed the impact of the economic link measures introduced for the fisheries sector on 1 January 1999.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: From 1 January 1999 all British registered fishing vessels over 10 metres catching more than two tonnes of quota stocks have had to demonstrate an economic link with fisheries dependent communities in the United Kingdom. This link can be demonstrated in a num…

6 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on a new fishing vessel safety scheme.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: I am pleased to announce that following very helpful and constructive discussions between officials and the industry, and as part of a UK-wide initiative, we propose to introduce two key measures to promote the safety at sea of fishermen and fishing vessels.<…

2 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when an announcement will be made on the proposed superquarry at Lingerbay.

Answer · Sam Galbraith: The Scottish Ministers have issued a letter today announcing their decision. A copy has been sent to all the parties who attended the public local inquiry into this proposal. A copy has also been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

23 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, following sight of the most recent scientific studies in the Inner Sound and Lochs Torridon, Carron, Kishorn, Duich, Alsh and Hourn, what measures it proposes to take with regard to creel and trawl fishing in these areas.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: As part of the most recent review of inshore fishing prohibitions under the Inshore Fishing (Scotland) Act 1984, the Scottish Executive received a large volume of representations from creel and trawl interests in the Loch Torridon area.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The …

27 Sep 2000 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is being made to ensure that ranger services are provided in the National Parks.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 allows National Park authorities to appoint staff. This is likely to include rangers.<P>The proposals for a National Park in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and in the Cairngorms, published recently for consultation, seek …

22 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place to provide supportive training for disadvantaged school leavers and what plans it has to develop this provision.

Answer · Henry McLeish: Training for young people with support needs is delivered by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise through their network of local companies and the Skillseekers programme. There are a range of training providers which offer supportive train…

20 Sep 2000 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to restructure the hill farming sector.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive is currently working with the industry to produce a strategy for a sustainable farming industry in Scotland.<P>I cannot anticipate what proposals might emerge in relation to hill farming.

14 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making with its investigation into how the electronic identification of cattle and electronic data transfer might be introduced.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I am pleased to report good progress on these issues. The census date for the identification of all bovines in Scotland was last weekend and the process of cleaning up this data and entering on to the Cattle Traceability System (CTS) database has started. The…

30 Aug 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in taking forward civil service reform within the Executive.

Answer · Jack McConnell: The Executive is committed to best value and modern government for Scotland. Ministers recognise that the staff of the Executive has made immense efforts to deliver devolution. The aim of Civil Service Reform is to maximise the effectiveness of the staff of t…

30 Aug 2000 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions its Rural Affairs Department has had with the Scottish Crofter's Union regarding the forthcoming crofting reform legislation.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The department regularly meets with senior representatives from the Scottish Crofters Union and is doing so again today. At three meetings within the last three months crofting reform issues were discussed. The SCU are also members of the Crofting Consultativ…

29 Aug 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the details of the submissions that it received before the decision was taken to site a trial of genetically modified oil seed rape at Rosskill by Munlochy.

Answer · Ross Finnie: In accordance with normal practice, the advice to Scottish Ministers from the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) is published on the Scottish Executive's website.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">As well as ACRE, the Scottish Executive has also receive…

29 Aug 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what positive outcomes will result from siting a trial of genetically modified oil seed rape at Rosskill by Munlochy.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The programme of farm-scale evaluations, including the site at Munlochy, is important and scientifically rigorous research that will provide information to evaluate any long-term effects of growing GM crops under normal agricultural conditions.<P ALIGN="JUSTI…

29 Aug 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications are of siting a trial of genetically modified oil seed rape at Rosskill, with particular reference to the location of an organic farm nearby.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The purpose of the farm-scale evaluation programme is precisely to determine the environmental implications of growing GM crops under tightly controlled and closely monitored conditions. Consent was granted for this site to participate in the trial programme …

22 Aug 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether a decision has been made on the future of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Following the Executive's review of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board initiated last year, and taking account of views expressed in the course of a public consultation exercise, we have concluded that the Board should continue to operate within the existi…

31 Jul 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what performance targets have been set for the Meat Hygiene Service in 2000-01.

Answer · Susan Deacon: Following consultation with interested organisations, the Board of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) approved at its meeting on 20 July the followingperformance targets for the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) for 2000-01:<DIR><P>1. Public Health Protection<DIR><P>a)…

26 Jul 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how Scotland's share of the Spending Review 2000 increases announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer were calculated.

Answer · Jack McConnell: The increases in Scotland's budget were calculated in line with the funding arrangements set out in the <I>Statement for Funding Policy</I>. A revised version of this was published by HM Treasury on 18 July 2000. A copy of the publication can be found on the …

12 Jul 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when an announcement will be made on the proposed superquarry at Lingerbay.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The report on the proposed superquarry at Lingerbay raised a range of complex issues. My consideration of one issue in particular has been complicated by recent policy developments, in the light of which it has become necessary for me to seek further informat…

11 Jul 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to address the serious decline in wild salmon and sea trout numbers in the west of Scotland whilst recognising the importance of a sustainable salmon aquaculture.

Answer · John Home Robertson: I am launching today, a Report by the Tripartite Working Group "Wild and Farmed Salmonids - Ensuring a Better Future" produced jointly by the Scottish Executive, representatives from the salmonid farming and wild salmonids fisheries.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The Rep…

21 Jun 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a statement about the Fisheries Council held on 16 June.

Answer · John Home Robertson: I attended the Fisheries Council meeting in Luxembourg on 16 June as part of the UK team.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The council covered a number of issues relevant to the Scottish fishing industry. On the agenda at the UK's request was an item about the haddock fishe…

21 Jun 2000 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how European Union funds will be used to improve information and communication technology in the Highlands and Islands.

Answer · Jack McConnell: Generally, investment in information and communication technology is a matter for the private sector in line with regulatory and commercial considerations. However, the Special Transitional Programme for the Highlands & Islands will include provision for limi…

20 Jun 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when an announcement will be made in relation to the non-executive appointments to the Board of Caledonian MacBrayne Limited.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I am delighted to announce that I have appointed Professor Peter Timms and Mr John Alex MacPherson to the Board of Caledonian MacBrayne Limited as non-executive directors from 1 July. The company faces many challenges and I am confident that they will make a …

15 Jun 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Woodland Grant Scheme payments are available to landlords who resume crofting land against the wishes of the crofters.

Answer · John Home Robertson: We are keen to encourage crofter forestry and hope that landlords and crofters can work together on forestry plans affecting crofting land. Woodland Grant Scheme payments are not available to landlords who resume crofting land against the wishes of the crofte…

6 Jun 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any proposals to establish a community arts centre in Fort William.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Arts Council (SAC) received an application from the Old School Project in April 2000, for funding towards the costs of a study to examine the viability of providing an arts venue in Lochaber. The application looked particularly at the Old School …

6 Jun 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much support Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise currently give to community groups seeking to promote wider access to arts and culture facilities in rural areas.

Answer · Henry McLeish: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and I have asked the respective chairmen to reply to the member. Copies of their replies will be placed in SPICe.

6 Jun 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what efforts it is making to promote arts and culture in rural areas.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: We shall shortly publish the National Cultural Strategy which will create a framework to ensure access to culture in all areas of Scotland.