Parliamentary questions
Rhoda Grant
2,396 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
16 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are being made for the quinquennial review of the Forest Enterprise Executive Agency.
Answer · John Home Robertson: Forest Enterprise manages the Scottish Executive's 650,000 hectare forest estate in Scotland. It has the same responsibility in England and Wales. As an executive agency, Forest Enterprise is subject to review every five years - part of the process of continu…
19 Apr 2000 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will implement to ensure sustainable development in crofting communities.
Answer · Ross Finnie: We will continue active support for the crofting way of life by giving crofting communities increased opportunity to manage their own sustainable development through the crofting community right to buy and by modernising crofting law.<P>We will continue to ad…
5 Apr 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what has been decided in the light of the recent consultation on the Policy and Financial Management Review of the Crofters Commission.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The recent review identified the need for modernising the Commission's constitutional arrangements, to meet new standards of public accountability, by converting the Commission into a modern NDPB or into an Agency. In the light of the balance of views express…
3 Apr 2000 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister whether he will report on the first meeting of the reconvened Highlands and Islands Convention.
Answer · Donald Dewar: The first meeting of the refocused Convention of the Highlands and Islands was held on Monday 27 March in the Highland Council's headquarters, Inverness. The Convention, which comprised Scottish Ministers, local authorities, Local Enterprise Companies, Area T…
29 Mar 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting on 20 March 2000.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I attended the EU Agriculture Council meeting in Brussels on 20 March as part of the UK delegation led by Mr Nick Brown, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the UK Government. Ms Christine Gwyther, Secretary for Agriculture and the R…
16 Feb 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the outcome of the recent consultation exercise on shellfish water designation.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: A Direction is being issued to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to designate an additional 11 Scottish waters under the Shellfish Waters Directive (79/923/EEC). The designations take account of the views expressed in the consultation exercise.<…
16 Feb 2000 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Rural Affairs last met representatives of the Scottish Crofters' Union and what issues they discussed.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I last met officials, officers and members of the Scottish Crofters Union on 1 October 1999 when I visited Lewis. We discussed a wide range of matters including the role and structure of the SCU, the value and nature of crofting, crofting regulation and suppo…
26 Jan 2000 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with representatives of the Scottish fishing industry about the total allowable catches as agreed at the December EU Fisheries Council.
Answer · John Home Robertson: The Scottish Executive has been in close contact with Scottish fishing representatives throughout the entire TAC process. I was grateful for the opportunity to meet with them both immediately before the December Council, and in Scotland House in Brussels duri…
19 Jan 2000 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the review of the functions of the Crofting Commission, proposals will be rejected if there are found to be serious concerns in the crofting community.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The interests of stakeholders will be an important criterion to be taken into account. The other criteria will be how far the proposals help deliver government policy, how far they maximise accountability, and how far they maximise efficiency, effectiveness a…
13 Jan 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing a scheme whereby pig farmers who took out loans to comply with welfare regulations could receive some form of debt relief.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive has no plans to introduce such a scheme. The very tight EU pigs regime and State Aid constraints which apply to this sector severely limit the scope for providing any direct aid unless, for example, associated with an exceptional occurr…
13 Jan 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the current constraints on pig farmers regarding the disposal of meat and bonemeal as a result of the BSE crisis.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) reviewed the ban on the use of porcine MBM as recently as November 1999. The Committee concluded that a relaxation of the feed ban in the UK to allow the inclusion of porcine MBM in poultry feed could no…
13 Jan 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list those local authorities and health boards which encourage schools and hospitals in their respective areas to use Scottish meat.
Answer · Ross Finnie: This information is not held centrally. However, the likelihood is most of the Scottish Health Boards, NHS Trusts and hospitals will obtain their meat from only Scottish sources. Officials from my Department wrote to all Scottish local authorities in November…
21 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities are required to identify sites for proposed superquarries in their structure plans.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: National Planning Policy Guideline 4, (<I>Land for Mineral Working)</I> requires Highland, Western Isles and Shetland Islands Councils to consider identifying suitable opportunities for coastal quarries without significant detrimental environmental or socio-e…
15 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to allow "opt outs" from the right to buy in order to allow social landlords in rural areas to retain houses which cannot be replaced by comparable accommodation.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: 	Measures are already in place which allow local authorities in rural areas to have a specified area designated as a rural area and allow the landlord a "first option" to purchase a RTB property before it can be sold on to a third party.<FONT SIZ…
2 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce measures to enable the oil fabrication yards in the Highlands to diversify into new areas.
Answer · Henry McLeish: We take very seriously the difficulties currently facing the fabrication yards in the Highlands. The Deputy Minister for Enterprise in the Highlands and Islands and I visited the Ardersier yard only last week to meet the management and unions. While there is …
25 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce CCTV to the South Kessock area following the recent spate of attacks by young people using fireworks.
Answer · Angus MacKay: The Scottish Executive funds CCTV through its 'Make Our Communities Safer' Challenge Competition. Applications are submitted to the Scottish Executive through Chief Executives of local councils and Chief Constables. I understand that no application is being c…
24 Nov 1999 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce CCTV to the South Kessock area following the recent spate of attacks by young people using fireworks.
Answer · Angus MacKay: The Scottish Executive funds CCTV through its 'Make Our Communities Safer' Challenge Competition. Applications are submitted to the Scottish Executive through Chief Executives of local councils and Chief Constables. I understand that no application is being…
11 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to lift the restrictions on scallop farms that have fallen within the permitted toxin level on two consecutive tests.
Answer · Susan Deacon: This is the general rule operated. However, if toxin levels remain above the statutory limit in adjacent waters additional data will be required.
10 Nov 1999 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to lift the restrictions on scallop farms that have fallen within the permitted toxin level on two consecutive tests.
Answer · Susan Deacon: This is the general rule operated. However, if toxin levels remain above the statutory limit in adjacent waters additional data will be required.
9 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will widen the scope of its recently announced review of the Careers Service to include a consideration of the issue of ownership, taking into full account the recommendations of the McIntosh Commission on local government.
Answer · Henry McLeish: The terms of reference for the review of the careers service are: "To examine the role of the careers service in Scotland, and the scope for change and development of that role in the light of trends and initiatives in education, lifelong learning, and t…
4 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to increase funding for the Agricultural Business Improvement scheme to fund current applications.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Industry interests have been consulted on how best to deal with the substantial number of applications received under the Agricultural Business Improvement Scheme. I am now considering those comments and will be announcing my decision as soon as possible.
3 Nov 1999 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to increase funding for the Agricultural Business Improvement scheme to fund current applications.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Industry interests have been consulted on how best to deal with the substantial number of applications received under the Agricultural Business Improvement Scheme. I am now considering those comments and will be announcing my decision as soon as possible.
28 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what account it has taken of the European Committee's comments on the plan for the Highlands and Islands Special Programme.
Answer · Jack McConnell: Following the completion of the consultation process, and in response to representations made to me on the Plan, I have decided to increase the provisional allocations of finance to the agriculture, fisheries and water provisions of the Plan. I am writing to …
14 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown on how music tuition is funded by local authorities throughout Scotland.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: In Scotland, music and instrumental tuition are curriculum matters and as such are the responsibility of education authorities and headteachers. It is for councils to meet demand from current levels of funding, to determine their own spending priorities and t…
25 Aug 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been made for the undertaking of checks on animal feedstuffs to ensure that they meet common quality and safety standards.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Regulations for the implementation in GB of measures aimed at ensuring more even enforcement of EC legislation have now been laid at Westminster. These Regulations are part of a package of controls which have already been introduced on a GB basis and which, t…
2 Jun 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to decentralise Civil Service jobs.
Answer · Jack McConnell: The Scottish Executive is committed to ensuring that local and central government in Scotland are efficient and decentralised, as part of a wider vision of more accessible, open and responsive government. It will be important to make sure that these plans are…