Alex Johnstone

23 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many existing adult mandatory life prisoners will be affected by the Convention Rights (Compliance) (Scotland) Act 2001 and (b) when hearings under the Act in respect of such prisoners will be completed.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Four hundred and sixty-three existing adult mandatory life prisoners are affected by the transitional provisions of the Convention Rights (Compliance) (Scotland) Act 2001, in as much as they will require to have a punishment part set at a hearing before the H…

2 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to support the golf tourism industry and local economies in areas such as Carnoustie following the recent terrorist attacks in the United States of America.

Answer · Alasdair Morrison: The marketing of Scotland as a golf tourism destination is and will continue to be a high priority. VisitScotland has reviewed its marketing strategy in the light of the 11 September events and will target its campaigns carefully in order to maximise opportun…

4 Sep 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17516 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 29 August 2001, what its response was to the Arbroath aid package proposals and whether it intends to give any further response.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The letters of 11 May and 13 June to which I referred in my earlier answer of 29 August provided detailed comments on the proposals contained in the Arbroath Aid Package and suggestions as to how these proposals could be taken forward by Angus Council and Sco…

14 Aug 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will give its official response to the aid package proposals for the Arbroath area submitted in January 2001 by Angus Council and other groups.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The First Minister responded to Angus Council and partners concerning the Arbroath Aid Package proposals in his letter of 11 May 2001. In addition I myself wrote to the council and to Scottish Enterprise Tayside about the Arbroath Aid Package proposals on 13 …

14 Aug 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16697 by Ross Finnie on 9 August 2001, whether it will work with Her Majesty's Government to ensure that the test that is used in the UK to examine compound animal feedstuffs for the presence of mammalian protein is validated to the satisfaction of E…

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive is working with the UK Government to ensure that this important task is completed at the earliest possible opportunity.

28 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government to oppose the proposals by the European Union to ban the use of fishmeal in ruminant feeds and what information it has on the scientific basis of these proposals.

Answer · Ross Finnie: In agreement with the Scottish Executive, the UK Government has made representations to the European Union on the fishmeal issue throughout the legislative process. As a result fishmeal has not been banned from feeding to non-ruminant livestock. The UK has ra…

28 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the use of fishmeal in ruminant feeds.

Answer · Ross Finnie: As required by the Scotland Act, the Executive will observe its EU obligations and intends to introduce shortly legislation that will ban the use of fishmeal in ruminant feeds as of 1 August this year. However, the Executive will continue to press for the ret…

20 Jun 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of recent press articles, its position on not reviewing local authority boundaries in the foreseeable future has changed.

Answer · Peter Peacock: There are no plans for a review of local authority boundaries.

20 Jun 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what further assistance it plans to make available to Angus Council to help it meet the costs of the replacement bridge over the South Esk at Montrose.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Executive announced on 23 November that Angus Council would receive £2.8 million, included in its capital allocations, to enable work to start on the Montrose Bridge replacement project. We will continue to work with Angus Council on this matter.

15 May 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been counting adjacent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease as single outbreaks.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Each infected premises is counted as a single case for counting purposes.

27 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any evidence that new outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred as a result of the burning of infected carcasses.

Answer · Ross Finnie: There is no evidence to suggest that new outbreaks of FMD have occurred as a result of burning infected carcasses. Epidemiologists believe that FMD will <I>not</I> be spread by burning carcasses for three reasons: the concentration of virus in the smoke is re…

27 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the 10 additional non-EU countries now being allowed to export specified offal material to the UK are free from foot-and-mouth disease.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Standing Veterinary Committee recently agreed Decision 2001/270/EC on third countries and BSE. All countries (including those not already assessed) will have to remove Specified Risk Material (SRM) before exporting meat products to the UK. The 10 countrie…

27 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what research is being carried out into the potential spread of foot-and-mouth disease from the burning of infected carcasses.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14536.

27 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that the burning of foot-and-mouth disease infected carcasses is not spreading the virus.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Epidemiologists have undertaken a thorough review of all scientific literature on the possible dangers of FMD spreading as a result of burning infected carcasses. This included the Northumberland Report on the 1967-68 outbreak which concluded there was insuff…

27 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to lessen the amount of bureaucracy faced by livestock producers.

Answer · Ross Finnie: There are several initiatives aimed specifically at reducing bureaucracy for Scottish farmers, including livestock farmers in particular. These are the Red Tape Review, the CAP Administration Review, the CAP External Communications Strategy and the Electronic…

27 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Pig Outgoers and Pig Ongoers schemes will be in operation.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Pig Outgoers 1 Scheme was launched on 4 December 2000 and applicants have been advised if their applications have been successful or not. The Pig Outgoers 2 Scheme, which I announced on 12 March 2001, will remain open for applications until 20 April 2001.…

27 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why this year's slaughter premium payments have not yet been made to farmers.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Payments under the slaughter premium are paid in two instalments - an advance, set this year at 80% of the total, followed by a balance payment, comprising the remainder. Advance payments began on 30 January 2001 to farmers eligible to receive premium under t…

12 Mar 2001 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Executive plans to reassure farmers and their representative bodies that the foot and mouth disease outbreak is under control.

Answer · Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive fully recognises the seriousness of this disease. The veterinary assessment in Scotland is that all the cases to date are linked. The slaughter and eradication process is working well with cases dealt with promptly as they arise. It is …

1 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make widely available to farmers pictures of what to look for when checking stock for the symptoms of foot and mouth disease.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Every livestock farmer in Scotland has been issued with text and accompanying pictures of how to identify foot and mouth disease. The same material is available on the Scottish Executive and MAFF websites.

1 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to identify the original source of the foot and mouth disease outbreak.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The State Veterinary Service is looking at all relevant epidemiological issues including the original source of the outbreak. In the meantime all possible steps are being taken to contain and eradicate the disease.

1 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will increase checks on imported meat in the light of concerns that the foot and mouth virus came to the UK from imported meat.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Checks on imports of meat are agreed at EU level and any changes to these arrangements must be similarly agreed.<P>Within the EU all animals are subject to both ante mortem and post mortem veterinary checks at point of slaughter. Meat passed for human consump…

7 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to intervene in cases where local authorities have sold houses to individuals which later turn out to be structurally flawed.

Answer · Jackie Baillie: The Executive has no power to intervene. However our guidance to tenants considering purchasing their homes under Right to Buy recommends that they have a structural survey of the dwelling before proceeding. Local authorities have a duty to advise any prospec…

6 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been informed of the planning decision by Angus Council which will allow the demolition of the Lochside Distillery building in Montrose.

Answer · Sam Galbraith: No.

6 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the former Lochside Distillery building in Montrose is a listed building and, if so, whether it will take action to preserve it.

Answer · Sam Galbraith: I have asked Graeme Munro, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:<P>The former Lochside Distillery building in Montrose is not a statutorily listed building. I understand that Angus Council have given consent for the buil…

18 Jan 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that continuation of the work previously undertaken by the Scottish Agricultural College veterinary laboratory in Thurso is secure.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12602.

18 Jan 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make additional funds available in order to keep the Scottish Agricultural College veterinary laboratory in Thurso open.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12602.

18 Jan 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what circumstances are leading to the closure of the Scottish Agricultural College veterinary laboratory in Thurso.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: On 17 January, the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) announced plans to close its Veterinary Disease Surveillance Centre in Thurso on 31 July 2001. In recent years, demand for consultancy services provided from the Thurso Centre to local veterinary practice…

16 Jan 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that the movement of emergency vehicles travelling into Aberdeen from the north is not impeded due to any current traffic gridlock caused by the closure of the Grandholm Bridge.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: We have consulted the emergency services and have received no reports of significant problems concerning increased response times for emergency vehicles travelling into Aberdeen from the north.

16 Jan 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to address any current transport gridlock in Aberdeen caused by the closure of the Grandholm Bridge.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Responsibility for management of traffic rests primarily with Aberdeen City Council. There is consultation with the Executive on trunk road matters.

3 Jan 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider the decision not to allow area aid payment for new lupins in Scotland.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The EU legislation covering the Arable Area Payments Scheme requires that payments only be made on crops which are suited agriculturally and climatically for growing in the areas concerned. Existing evidence and scientific views suggest that sweet lupins are …