Parliamentary questions

Dr Sylvia Jackson

415 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

7 Apr 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many inspections were carried out to ascertain the facts prior to the granting of licences to control saw-billed ducks in each of the last three years and whether the individuals authorised to kill the birds fully complied with the licence conditions and, if not, whether such licences…

Answer · Rhona Brankin: There was one formal inspectioncarried out in each of the last three years. Many of the areas covered by licence applications are well known to andvisited by our advisors, Scottish Natural Heritage, Fisheries Research Servicesand The Scottish Agricultural Sci…

7 Apr 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many licences to control red-breasted mergansers and goosanders were granted in each of the last three years against the advice of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and whether SNH is consulted on all applications for such licences.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The number of licences issuedagainst SNH advice in the last three years are as follows:2003: 4, 2004: 5 and 2005: 4.Scottish Natural Heritage aswell as Fisheries Research Services and the Scottish Agricultural Science Agencyare consulted on ever…

7 Apr 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for licences to control red-breasted mergansers and goosanders have been made in each of the last three years.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The numbers of applications forlicences to shoot red-breasted mergansers and goosanders received in the last threeyears are as follows:<table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td width=94 valign=top>   </td> <td wid…

7 Apr 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many licences have been issued for the killing of red-breasted mergansers and goosanders in each of the last three years and to whom were the licences issued.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The number of licences to shootred-breasted mergansers and goosanders issued, as an aid to scaring, to preventserious damage to fisheries is as follows:<table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td width=95 valign=top>   …

3 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when Scottish Enterprise will make a public statement regarding its reorganisation and the future role of local enterprise companies, such as Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Scottish Enterprise have been taking soundings from a wide range of industry representatives and partners as they consider a new structure. There have also been discussions with the Enterprise and Culture Committee. Ministers will consider Scottish Enterprise…

14 Dec 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what financial resources and practical measures it is taking to alleviate fuel poverty this winter.

Answer · Johann Lamont: We are tackling fuel povertyin a number of ways, including improving the energy efficiency of homes throughour central heating and Warm Deal Programmes. We encourage people to claim all thebenefits and tax credits to which they are entitled; our central heati…

28 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to reduce the waiting times for, and priority given to, post-mastectomy reconstruction surgery, especially surgery delayed before the advances in treatment that allow current cases of reconstruction to be dealt with at the same time as the mastectomy.

Answer · Andy Kerr: There are several types of reconstructive breast surgery. Certain types of immediate reconstructions can be performed by a specially trained breast surgeon. More complicated methods require plastic surgery input and some highly complex procedures such as reco…

28 Sep 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to bring economic benefits from greater use of the River Forth between Grangemouth and Stirling.

Answer · Tavish Scott: A recent study was undertakento identify strategic opportunities to re-invigorate the upper River Forth by encouragingrecreational and possibly commercial freight boat use and associated linkages withthe Forth and Clyde canal. This study was commissioned by B…

21 Sep 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take to offer construction trade employment opportunities and modern apprenticeships for local residents in regeneration areas, for example through the model of local agreements negotiated by Stirling Council in the Raploch regeneration project.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive is committedto ensuring that its regeneration policies and programmes deliver maximum benefitfor deprived communities. This includes encouraging those involved in regeneration,in the public, private and voluntary sectors, to provide tra…

14 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of prisoner admissions each year will not be covered by the new throughcare arrangements, broken down into those who are entitled to voluntary assistance and those who are not.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:Every prisoner in the SPS can access voluntary throughcare assistance. Vulnerable groups (women and young offenders) and adult male p…

14 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the main differences are between the new Throughcare Addiction Service and the voluntary assistance service on offer to non-priority groups.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows I refer the member to the answers to questions S2W-19210 and S2W-19212 on 4 October 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questi…

14 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the proposed new throughcare arrangements for prisoners are and to what extent these arrangements will include prisoners who have served less than 31 days in prison.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The Throughcare Addiction Service will provide continuity of care for those leaving custody who wish to go on to receive addiction services…

14 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the most up-to-date figures are in respect of the number of short-term prisoners who have died as a result of a drugs overdose shortly after leaving prison.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:The information available toSPS is that during 2003, 36 ex-offenders died within one month of release, 10 ofthese deaths were within …

30 Aug 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been undertaken to ascertain how antisocial behaviour associated with binge drinking can be reduced.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The ScottishExecutive have commissioned a number of relevant research projects, and have moreplanned for the future. Research on tackling binge drinking was commissioned onbehalf of the Nicholson Committee as part of its review of liquor licensing law.We are …

2 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the introduction of the EU hygiene package on 1 January 2006 will have on low-throughput abattoirs currently benefiting from lower hygiene and inspection costs following implementation of the Maclean Group recommendations.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The introduction of the new EU Food Hygiene Regulations on 1 January 2006 will have no impact on the hygiene and inspection costs for these abattoirs.

13 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will issue a draft Animal Health and Welfare Bill for consultation.

Answer · Ross Finnie: We are today publishing a draft Animal Health and Welfare Bill for consultation. The bill and associated documents are being placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. numbers 36405 and 36406) and on the Scottish Executive website http://www.scotland.g…

11 May 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to increase the availability of affordable housing.

Answer · Johann Lamont: The full extent of our ambitious programme to increase the availability of affordable housing is set out in our housing policy statement. We are taking action on land release, shared-equity schemes and planning advice and our £1.2 billion investment over thre…

9 Mar 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the Housing (Scotland) Bill will help improve the upkeep of properties and strengthen communities.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The bill willmodernise the powers of local authorities to tackle housing in poor condition, forexample by enabling financial support to be targeted where it is most needed andby declaring Housing Renewal Areas. It will update the Tolerable Standard and therep…

2 Mar 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in respect of the implications for health of living near high voltage transmission lines.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: In March 2004, the National RadiologicalProtection Board (NRPB) published new advice on limiting public exposure to electromagneticfields, including those from power lines. This new advice recommends adoption of the guidelines on levels of public exposure tha…

5 Jan 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to improve punctuality and passenger satisfaction on the railways.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive is working closely with the Strategic Rail Authority to ensure that the provisions in the new Scottish rail franchise agreement, which require better performance from First ScotRail, are effectively enforced. Failure to meet these stand…

1 Dec 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being put in place to prevent the spread of hospital-acquired infections.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Already, the level of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection has begun to stabilise and there are signs pointing to its possible reduction.Combating healthcare-associated infection is a major priority for the Executive and the NHS…

1 Dec 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures can be put in place to improve school discipline.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive is piloting a range of approaches that education authorities and schools may take forward to improve behaviour in schools.

24 Nov 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when enhanced measures to improve the environment through Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform will take effect.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I announced on 9 September the Cross Compliance conditions under CAP reform that farmers will be required to respect in order to receive the Single Farm Payment. These conditions will be introduced from 1 January 2005.Cross Compliance conditions concer…

18 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what conditions it would normally attach to a licence granted under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 authorising the killing or taking of seals for the prevention of damage to fisheries.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Each licence issued specifies:· The maximum number of seals of each species that may be shot, and that a return be made by a specified date recording the numbers actually shot (nil returns are required);· The period during which seals may be sho…

18 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what considerations it takes into account when deciding whether to grant a licence under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 authorising the killing or taking of seals for the prevention of damage to fisheries and whether it requires an applicant for a licence to have attempted to use non-…

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Applicants must provide evidence of serious damage occurring, or likely to occur, to the fishery. The type of evidence required includes regular seal count information, evidence of declining fish stocks and evidence of damaged fish in catches. Advice in respe…

1 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether licences granted under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 authorising persons to kill seals are (a) limited in respect of duration and (b) subject to a condition limiting the number of seals that may be killed.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: All licences granted are time-limited and set a limit on the number of seals which can be killed.

1 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many licences were granted under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 in (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003 allowing persons to kill seals (i) to prevent damage to fish farms and (ii) for other purposes.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Licences are not granted to shoot seals in order to prevent damage to fish farms.The following numbers of licences were granted in order to prevent damage to fisheries:2001 - 132002 - 152003 – 13.The following is a corrected…

1 Oct 2004 · Written Question

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The number of seals killed under licence are as follows:2001 - 652002 - 1302003 - 59.

1 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that exotic animals are only kept as pets by those with sufficient knowledge to care properly for their health and welfare.

Answer · Ross Finnie: We plan to introduce legislation which will require pet shops and pet retailers to issue appropriate information to those purchasing pets. This will include details of dietary and other requirements for all pets including exotic animals. Dangerous animals can…

22 Sep 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to reduce drug-related deaths.

Answer · Hugh Henry: We have invested an additional £34 million over the last three years in treatment and rehabilitation services. This has supported a 41% increase in non-residential services, and a 33% increase in residential services since 1999-2000. In 2003-04, over 12,650 “…