Dr Winnie Ewing

15 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place a copy of the Lingerbay Quarry report in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The report remains confidential to the Scottish Ministers until a formal decision on the planning application is announced. At that time I will arrange for a copy of the report, and the decision letter, to be placed in the Information Centre.

15 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a specific date for the publication of the report commissioned in 1997 on ferry services on the Clyde and whether it will place a copy in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The report concerning the Gourock-Dunoon ferry service will be published soon. A copy will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre when it is published.

15 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what legal or other status British sign language has in Scottish courts.

Answer · Jim Wallace: A person with hearing difficulties who understands the nature of an oath is treated as an ordinary witness, except that he/she is sworn and their evidence is taken through an interpreter using the deaf and dumb alphabet, or by other signs which can be underst…

15 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what specific steps it is taking to deal with the current situation in the pig industry.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive has actively encouraged public organisations to purchase home-produced pigmeat which is produced to very high health and welfare standards. In addition, extra marketing resources will be provided in the new financial year to support the marketin…

15 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is reducing funding to the Crofters Building Grants and Loan Scheme.

Answer · Ross Finnie: No. The current spending review, of course, requires us to consider all aspects of Rural Affairs Department expenditure, including the Crofters Etc. Building Grants and Loan Scheme.

15 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken or plans to take following the debate on British Sign Language on 16 February 2000 and whether it has made or will make representations to Her Majesty's Government to give official recognition to the language.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: Following on from the debate on British Sign Language (BSL) on 16 February, the Executive is currently considering how best to progress the issues raised including the provision of interpreters. The Executive will maintain in close contact with the Department…

2 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government to ensure that all possible safety measures are in place in the Minches in view of the large number of tankers and other shipping which passes through the area each year and whether it will detail what these measures are and…

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Maritime safety and shipping matters are reserved, falling within the responsibility of the Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions and Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The Executive is in regular contact with DETR and the MCA on a range of mat…

2 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will examine the proposal to create a site of special scientific interest on 75% of the arable land on the Isle of Berneray, Western Isles and whether it will list the 28 restrictive conditions to be imposed on crofting activity on the island.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is statutorily responsible for the notification of areas as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). The SSSI on Berneray is being notified to underpin the North Uist Machair & Islands Special Protection Area, which is…

2 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to designate the Minches as a Marine Environmental High Risk Area.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The formal designation of Marine Environmental High Risk Areas (MEHRAs) will be a matter for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR), taking account of both the risk of pollution from shipping and coastal environmental sensitivity.…

2 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to adopt the recommendation in the report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Child Abuse in North Wales to approve the introduction of "Independent Officers" to deal with allegations of child abuse.

Answer · Sam Galbraith: As I indicated in my written answer on 16 February to a question from Karen Gillon (S1W-4413), the Tribunal's report requires serious and considered attention. We are now actively examining recommendations on policy and practice. In doing so, we are taking in…

2 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a copy of the United Kingdom's oil spill national contingency plan.

Answer · John Home Robertson: Yes. Copies of the plan are currently in the process of being issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

2 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase the number of tugs available to assist in the event of a tanker accident and, if necessary, whether it will make any representations to Her Majesty's Government to ensure the protection of Scotland's marine and coastal environment.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The provision of Emergency Towing Vessel tugs around the UK coast is a reserved matter. The Scottish Executive maintains regular contact with Her Majesty's Government on a wide range of issues including matters relating to maritime safety and the protection o…

10 Feb 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive further to the answer to question S1O-519 by Donald Dewar on 4 November 1999, what progress it is making in identifying opportunities for the work of Executive and related departments to be located nearer to the communities they serve.

Answer · Donald Dewar: The Executive has already announced that around 120 jobs in the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department will move from Edinburgh, making the entire Department Glasgow located; and that the new Food Standards Agency, with over 40 posts, will be established…

19 Jan 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what aspects of public safety in relation to nuclear plants in Scotland are under the jurisdiction of the Scottish Parliament.

Answer · Henry McLeish: Safety at nuclear plants in Scotland is a reserved matter. Nuclear licensed site operators are responsible for site safety and regulation is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate. The Secretary of State for…

19 Jan 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will change civil legal aid by lowering contribution levels and scrapping automatic contributions from women who earn more than they would receive by way of state benefits in order to make it easier for women victims of abuse to take court action.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive believe that it is right that those who can afford to pay a contribution towards the costs of their case should be required to do so. In setting the levels of contribution payable, by all civil legal aid applicants, the Scottish Executi…

16 Dec 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government asking it to establish an independent body to look at technical evidence relating to the Piper Alpha disaster.

Answer · Andrew Hardie: The Scottish Executive is constantly in touch with HMG on a range of matters. The circumstances of the disaster were, however, considered by the First Division of the Court of Session recently in a civil appeal brought by the operators of the Piper Alpha prod…

10 Nov 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has in place to help pensioners during any excessively cold weather.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Warm Deal will make permanent improvements to the homes of pensioners and others on low incomes. It provides a package of insulation measures which can reduce current fuel bills by up to £150 per year or provide more warmth for the same cost. By 2003 100,…

8 Nov 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government that it should request that the European Commission implements the obligation to review the tax structures of alcoholic drinks every two years so that Scotch whisky suffers no discrimination as opposed to wine and beer.

Answer · Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive makes representations to Her Majesty's Government on a range of issues of interest to the drinks industry in Scotland. The Executive welcomes the Commission`s recently announced intention to review the Bossard Report.

8 Nov 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government to ensure that Scottish banks or financial institutions will enforce EU measures on money laundering.

Answer · Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including money laundering.

4 Nov 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why no Scottish Minister or official Scottish representative attended the fifty strong UK delegation to the two day justice seminar in Tampere, Finland in view of Scotland's distinct and separate legal system.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Special European Council at Tampere on 15-16 October was a meeting of European Union heads of government. The Scottish Executive was fully involved in the United Kingdom's preparations for the Council, in accordance with the terms of the EU concordat. The…

4 Nov 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to distribute the #40 million aid package for Scottish agriculture.

Answer · Ross Finnie: £20 million out of the £40 million aid package for farmers which I announced on 20 September will be disbursed to hill cattle and sheep farmers as an enhancement to the headage rates paid under the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances Scheme.…

4 Nov 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the establishment of a ferry service between Scotland and Europe from Rosyth.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive recognises the potential benefits of a viable ferry service between Scotland and Europe, where it strengthens Scotland's trading links and contributes to the Government's integrated transport policies. The Executive maintains contact wi…

27 Oct 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make a decision on the proposed Lingerbay superquarry.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: This is a very technical and complex case and sufficient time will be required to give full and proper consideration to the report of the public local inquiry. The conclusions of the Scottish Executive will, however, be made known to parties as soon as reason…

27 Oct 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list which funds have been expended on the 'On the Edge' initiative and state where and to whom have the funds been made available.

Answer · Alasdair Morrison: The Initiative at the Edge (Iomairt aig an Oir) seeks to encourage the main public support agencies, in partnership, to channel more of their existing resources into some of the most remote communities of Scotland. Details of expenditure directed towards Init…

27 Oct 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that payments of agricultural grants or subsidies could resolve the current situation in the sheep, pig, beef and hill farming sectors.

Answer · Ross Finnie: These sectors receive over £300 million annually in direct payments, confirming the importance I place on their role in the rural economy. Acknowledging the current income position, the Scottish Executive is working with the industry to find new and innovativ…

27 Oct 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it made to the European Union Fisheries Council meeting on 26 October 1999 on the need for financial aid to the freshwater fisheries sector; what representations it will make to the next Council meeting on 22 November 1999 on this issue; which Minister attended the me…

Answer · John Home Robertson: The Fisheries Council in October concentrated on matters related to sea fisheries.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The Scottish Executive are very conscious of the importance of freshwater fisheries, particularly salmon and sea trout. <I>Prima facie,</I> freshwater fisheri…

27 Oct 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that there is a need for a national housebuilding policy.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Executive committed itself in its programme for Government to ensuring that 18,000 new and improved homes are built over the next three years for affordable renting or low-cost owner-occupation. In addition, there are already a number of complementary nat…

27 Oct 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider the extension of the ferry links to the Irish Republic which would qualify for cross-border funding.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: No.

27 Oct 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government on the need to retain the Coastguard service in Scotland and reopen those stations which were closed.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with Her Majesty's Government on a wide range of issues including matters relating to maritime safety and coastguard stations.

27 Oct 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many children are at present being held in police cells, and what steps will it take to address this issue.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Children are only held in police cells until arrangements can be made for them to appear before a Children's Hearing. We are currently reviewing policy on secure accommodation and we hope to make a statement before the end of the year about its use and its al…