Parliamentary questions
Sarah Boyack
2,373 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
12 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the carbon emissions implications of all options for the new Forth crossing will be a factor in selecting the preferred option.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The environmental impact ofany crossing will be one of the factors which will be considered when selectingthe preferred option.</p>
3 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many farm animal welfare inspections undertaken by Animal Health (formerly the State Veterinary Service) in 2006 and the first six months of 2007 on pig, sheep, dairy cattle, beef cattle, poultry (broiler chickens, ducks and turkeys), laying hen and other farmed animal units in Scotla…
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I have asked Glenys Stacey,Chief Executive of the Animal Health Agency to respond. Her response is asfollows:</p><p>The number of farm animalwelfare inspections carried out in 2006 and 2007 up to the end of June forvarious purposes are shown in the following …
3 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of pig, sheep, dairy cattle, beef cattle, poultry (broiler chickens, ducks and turkeys), laying hen and other farmed animal units in Scotland received farm animal welfare inspections by Animal Health (formerly the State Veterinary Service) in 2006 and the first six months …
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I have asked Glenys Stacey, Chief Executive of the Animal Health Agency to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>The percentages of farm animalunits inspected by Animal Health (formerly the State Veterinary Service) in 2006and the first six months of 200…
3 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will be in a position to give a timescale for secondary legislation under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The first tranche of secondarylegislation dealing with pet dealers, animal sanctuaries, travelling circuses, electricshock collars, pet vending (including internet sales), and livery yards will beintroduced over the next two years. The Scottish Executive also…
3 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to announce its position on the previous administration’s (a) commitment to set up a working group of stakeholders and officials to consider marine national parks and (b) request to local enterprise companies to consider the economic impact of setting up marine parks, in a…
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I recognise that the initialconsultation by the previous administration highlighted the need for furtherwork in addressing significant concerns raised about proposals to establish a coastaland marine national park.</p><p>I am currently consideringhow and when…
3 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications are for Scottish Power and Scottish Coal of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Amendment (No. 2) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 and whether there are any other similar organisations that might be affected.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Conservation (NaturalHabitats, &c.) Amendment (No. 2) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 clarify and strengthen thetransposition of the Habitats Directive as regards the process of considerationof all plans and projects. The amendments apply throughout Scotl…
3 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish all ministerial directions given in relation to the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Amendment (No. 2) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 when the directions are issued.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Executive willpublish any ministerial directions given in relation to the Conservation(Natural Habitats, &c.) Amendment (No. 2) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 asand when any such directions are issued.</p>
26 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made since 7 March 2005 in (a) classifying 11 proposed additions to the network of special protection areas and (b) identifying additional areas for the protection of golden eagle habitat and when it expects this programme of work to be completed.
Answer · Michael Russell: Substantial progress hasbeen made since March 2005. Two new Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and theaddition of a qualifying species on an existing SPA have been classified, andMinisters are considering Scottish Natural Heritage’s (SNH) recommendation forthe c…
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the first supplementary to question S3O-305 by Stewart Stevenson on 21 June 2007 (Official Report c. 997), whether it will ensure that the design and construction of the new crossing increases public transport capacity across the Forth.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Provision for enhanced publictransport will be incorporated into the replacement crossing in order to managepredicted increase in demand for cross-Forth travel.</p>
22 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the first supplementary to question S3O-305 by Stewart Stevenson on 21 June 2007 (Official Report c. 997), whether its proposals for a new Forth crossing include options for public transport.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Provision for enhanced publictransport will be incorporated into the replacement crossing in order to managepredicted increase in demand for cross-Forth travel.</p>
15 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a national proof-of-age card.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government,in partnership with all 32 local authorities has introduced a Scotland wide National Entitlement Card that includes accreditation under the British Retail Consortium’sProof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS).</p>
14 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many sites of special scientific interest there are in Scotland; how many of the features for which they have been notified are in favourable condition; whether it will list the reasons for any features being in an unfavourable condition, showing the number of cases of unfavourable co…
Answer · Michael Russell: There are 1,455 SSSIsin Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has assessed2,347 of the natural features for which these sites have been notified as beingin favourable condition. In addition to this, 129 features have been assessed asbeing in unfavourable …
14 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many nominated wildlife crime officers have been appointed in each police force area, indicating in each case whether these posts are full or part-time and whether they are filled by serving officers or civilians.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Except where indicated,these responsibilities represent part of an individual’s duties. The available informationis set out in the following table.</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td valign=top> <p align=center>Police Force…
14 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has issued to procurators fiscal in relation to the admissibility of evidence in respect of the prosecution of environmental crime and, if no such guidance exists, what rules exist to guide fiscals on admissibility.
Answer · Frank Mulholland: Procuratorsfiscal are qualified solicitors. They are provided with appropriate trainingand guidance material to enable them to carry out the full range of theirduties in relation to the prosecution of crime and investigation of death. Thisincludes dealing wit…
14 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve the prosecution of environmental crime.
Answer · Frank Mulholland: Procuratorsfiscal are provided with appropriate training, development opportunities andguidance material to enable them to carry out their varied duties. Thatincludes specific guidance and training on environmental crime.</p><p>A national network of prosecuto…
14 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support agencies or non-governmental organisations with the preparation of applications for funding under the EU LIFE+ funding regime.
Answer · Michael Russell: Arrangements fromlate summer are likely to comprise a combination of invitations of bids as inthe past and dialogue with potential applicant bodies on possible packages ofmeasures, building upon the known expertise and interest of the bodies. We expect Scotti…
14 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it, or its agencies, are taking to implement policies to ensure the conservation of species listed in Scottish Natural Heritage’s species framework.
Answer · Michael Russell: The SpeciesAction Framework is being implemented through a partnership of statutory andvoluntary bodies, with SNH in the lead. SNH set up an internal ProgrammeManagement Group shortly after the launch, and established Species Leads forall 32 species on the Sp…
14 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many licences it has issued under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in each of the last five years, stating in each case the species concerned and purpose of the licence and whether it has any plans to review its licensing policy.
Answer · Michael Russell: Details of the licencesissued by the Executive under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981in each of the last five years (2002 to 2006) are listed as follows. There are currentlyno plans to review licensing policy. Scottish Executive and Scottis…
14 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure the timely transposition into Scots Law of the EU floods directive and what plans it has to consult stakeholders on the matter.
Answer · Michael Russell: In his statement toParliament on 21 June 2007, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growthannounced that flood risk management will be consulted on with a view to legislation.The consultation process will include the need for timely transposition…
14 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to introduce legislation to transpose into Scots Law the provisions of the EU environmental liability directive.
Answer · Michael Russell: We aim to transposethe directive by March 2008. We are taking this forward in a way which is focussedon Scottish circumstances and priorities.</p>
14 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to take forward the review of the enforcement of environmental law; what plans it has to consult further on any of the issues raised, especially in relation to environmental courts, and when it will announce its intentions.
Answer · Michael Russell: A report on the <i>Strengthening and Streamlining: The Way Forwardfor the Enforcement of Environmental Law in Scotland</i> consultation exercise is to be produced later in the summer, collatingthe responses received under the key component headings that appea…
14 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review legislation relating to flooding; what consultation it is planning with stakeholders on the matter, and when it will announce its intentions.
Answer · Michael Russell: In his statement toParliament on 21 June 2007, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growthannounced that flooding legislation will be consulted on with a view to legislation.We are looking to encourage a more sustainable approach to flood risk ma…
14 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty’s Government concerning a review of, and any legislative changes to, the Game Acts; whether there are any plans to conduct a review, and when it will announce its intentions.
Answer · Michael Russell: Amendments arecurrently being made to the Game Acts applying in England and Wales following areview of that legislation. There is a wide range of similar legislationapplying to these matters in Scotland which does not appear to have been lookedat for some con…
13 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3O-156 by Michael Russell on 7 June 2007 (Official Report c. 543), what the timescale is for this year’s consultation on changes to permitted development rights for microgeneration proposals for existing buildings and whether the Executive will publish …
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We intend toconsult for a period of three months in the Autumn regarding permitteddevelopment rights, including draft proposals, for micro-renewable equipment.</p>
11 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to alter the dispersal or relocation policy in relation to its agencies.
Answer · John Swinney: I am currently consideringthe future arrangements for reaching decisions on the locations of public bodiesand agencies, in light of the experience of previous relocation policy, the findingsof the Finance and Audit Committees of the Scottish Parliament and ou…
11 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when any decision will be made about the possible relocation of jobs in NHSScotland organisations, including NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland and Health Protection Scotland.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This issue is currentlybeing considered and a decision will be made as soon as possible.</p>
6 Jun 2007 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the effectiveness of the implementation of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: We plan to take a fresh lookat our antisocial behaviour strategy to see where it can be strengthened and improved,and how we can ensure greater community involvement. We will feed the results ofon-going evaluations of antisocial behaviour orders and dispersal…
23 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with Network Rail regarding the re-opening of the Edinburgh South Suburban Railway line for passenger use.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There have been no recent discussionswith Network Rail regarding the re-opening of the Edinburgh South Suburban Railwayline for passenger use.</p>
23 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with the City of Edinburgh Council regarding the re-opening of the Edinburgh South Suburban Railway line for passenger use.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: City of Edinburgh Council isrefreshing the business case into the reopening of the Edinburgh South SuburbanRailway (ESSR) line for passenger use. Recent discussions have taken place betweenTransport Scotland and City of Edinburgh Council officials where it w…
19 Dec 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce accelerated procedures for the approval of flood prevention schemes, in light of concerns expressed by local communities that the proposed plans for the Water of Leith were submitted in 2003 and the public local inquiry was held in November and Decemb…