Parliamentary questions
Dennis Canavan
117 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Apr 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent consideration it has given to the application of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Bill to land owned by Her Majesty the Queen in her private capacity.
Answer · Allan Wilson: I undertook at stage 2 to givethis matter careful consideration. </p><p>I have now done so and I am happyto support Dennis Canavan’s stage 3 amendment on the subject.</p>
20 Apr 2004 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer whether it was a party to any agreements between Wark Clements and interviewees regarding interviews for the production of the programme "The Gathering Place" for BBC Television.
Answer · George Reid: The Scottish ParliamentaryCorporate Body was not a party to any tripartite agreement between WarkClements and interviewees.</p>
14 Apr 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the policy priorities are underlying the recent announcement of additional investment in football.
Answer · Frank McAveety: TheExecutive is committed to increasing participation in sport and helping in meetingthe targets set out in Sport 21. Football is our national sport and is enjoyedby a great number of boys and girls. What our investment in the Action Plan forScottish Youth Fo…
2 Apr 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister will give evidence in person to the Holyrood Inquiry.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Inquiry announced on 25 March 2004 that theyhad decided not to ask the First Minister to supplement his written evidence byattending the Inquiry in person.</p>
26 Mar 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty the Queen or her representatives regarding the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive has sought Crown consent in respect of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Bill,in accordance with Rule 9.11 of the Standing Orders of the Scottish Parliament.</p>
3 Mar 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to improve Scotland's international image.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The Executiveis researching how Scotland is viewed internationally. Thiswork will lead to an announcement later this year of a new campaign to promote Scotland.</p>
3 Mar 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for legislation on corporate homicide.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: As I said in my earlier answer to Karen Gillon, we are considering this complex area of the law and if we conclude that the law on corporate homicide needs to be changed then we will bring forward proposals for legislation.</p>
3 Mar 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what policy initiatives it is considering on higher education funding.
Answer · Jim Wallace: We have astrong track record on funding for higher education, demonstrated by the factthat we have increased funding from £600 million in 1999-2000 to £800 millionby 2005-06. We are committed to ensuring that Scottish higher education retainsits competitive e…
1 Mar 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for warrants have been made to the First Minister for the interception of telephone calls under the Interception of Communications Act 1985, broken down by source and category of application.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: This information is notavailable in the format requested. Since 2 October 2000,applications for warrants for interception of communications have been madeunder the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, which replaced theInterception of Communications A…
23 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much has now been paid out in ex gratia payments to members and former members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes and how much, including interest, is left of the total sum agreed for ex gratia payments.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: To date £121.72 million hasbeen paid leaving a balance of £4.28 million still to be paid. I last gavefigures in response to question S2W-5036 as at 21 January 2004, since then afurther eight payments totalling about £44,000 have been made.</p><p>All answers t…
23 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much interest has accrued on the original sums that it agreed for ex gratia payments to former members and dependants of former members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes from the time of the announcement of the sums to the time of the payment and whether it will ensure …
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The £126 million allocatedto provide the programme of <i>ex-gratia</i> payments to former members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes is a fixed amount and, in common withmost government programmes, does not vary along with the timing of theindivi…
23 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set a firm deadline for the submission of claims for ex gratia payments to former members and dependants of former members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes so that the remainder of the total amount agreed for ex gratia payments can be paid out to those who …
Answer · Nicol Stephen: Given the slow current paceof payments, I will consider over the next few weeks whether a deadline shouldbe set and, if so, how it will operate. I will remain mindful of the positionof those with entitlement to payments under the present arrangements but who,…
17 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to reach a conclusion in respect of its review of local government finance.
Answer · Andy Kerr: We are working with COSLA onthis and giving further consideration to the detailed scope and remit of thereview, including when the review should report its conclusions. I expect toannounce more details in the near future.</p>
23 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to publish a bill introducing mandatory rates relief of at least 80% for community amateur sports clubs.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive will introduce amendments to the Local Government (Financial Provisionsetc.) (Scotland) Act 1962 to provide 80% mandatory rate relief forcommunity amateur sports clubs as soon as a suitable legislative vehicle becomesavailable.</p>
23 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost would be of introducing exemptions from water and sewerage charges for community amateur sports clubs.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive does not hold the information that would be needed to provide areasonable estimate of these costs.</p>
23 Jan 2004 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer what the membership is of the interview panel for the appointment of the Commissioner for Children and Young People and when the appointment is expected to be finalised.
Answer · Robert Brown: The selection panel convenedto undertake the recruitment of a Commissioner for Children and Young People inScotland comprised of the Presiding Officer, Scott Barrie MSP, Rhona BrankinMSP, Robert Brown MSP, Rosemary Byrne MSP, James Douglas Hamilton MSP andMar…
15 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure greater standards of safety in school transport by drawing up a phased timetable, with appropriate targets, to ensure that all buses contracted by local education authorities to carry children between school and home and on school trips are fitted with seatbelts.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive issued updated guidance to education authorities on school transport inAugust 2003. Circular 7/2003, copies of which are available in the Parliament’sReference Centre (Bib. number. 29135), sets out, inter alia, the legalrequirements wit…
15 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has taken legal advice on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' interpretation of the Animal By-Product Regulation, EC 1774/2002, that raw meat and fish products are excluded from the transitional arrangements for the scheme, and if so, whether that advice wil…
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive agrees with DEFRA and is satisfied that the provisions contained in theAnimal By-Products (Scotland) Regulations 2003 are an accurate interpretation ofEC 1774/2002 and the relevant transitional arrangements. It is on this basisthat thes…
15 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has made on behalf of the Executive to the European Commission to highlight the issues facing the Scottish retail sector in implementing the Animal By-Product Regulation, EC 1774/2002.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive has worked closely with DEFRA in the development of this regulationwith the EU Commission. Following discussions between DEFRA and the DevolvedAdministrations, a letter was sent to the Commission on 6 January drawing theCommission’s att…
13 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a report on the implementation of the National Strategy for Sport in Scotland, Sport 21 2003-2007, detailing the progress made in each of the 11 target areas identified in the strategy; whether the targets will be met by 2007, and whether sufficient resources will…
Answer · Frank McAveety: The implementation process is being co-ordinated by <b>sport</b>scotland.Six implementation Groups comprising partners with a key role and interest inthe achievement of the Sport 21 targets have been set up to prepare a series ofaction plans. A report on the …
7 Jan 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that community amateur sports clubs will receive full benefit from the recent announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer about a mandatory 80% relief from business rates for such clubs.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The Executive intends to introduce 80% mandatory rate relieffor sports clubs which are registered as community amateur sports clubs withthe Inland Revenue. This will require primary legislation.</p><p>Localauthorities in Scotland have discretionary powers to …
15 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what concessions on taxes and charges it currently makes available to community amateur sports clubs, including concessions on council tax and water charges.
Answer · Andy Kerr: Sports clubs which areregistered charities are eligible for 80% mandatory rate relief. Localauthorities have discretionary powers to top up this relief up to 100% and togrant up to 100% rate relief to sports clubs which do not qualify for mandatoryrate relief…
12 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take in response to the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of tax relief for community amateur sports clubs, including a concession of at least 80% on council tax.
Answer · Andy Kerr: I refer the member to the answer given to question S20-1066 on 15 January 2004which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for whichcan be found at: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa">http://www.scottish.parlia…
12 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce an independent system for dealing with complaints against the police.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: <i>A Partnership for aBetter </i><i>Scotland</i> includes a commitment to set up an independentpolice complaints body.</p>
9 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct Scottish Water to hold board meetings in public.
Answer · Ross Finnie: No. We already have in placea direction covering public consultation. In 2004, as well as its annual consultativemeeting, the board will hold a further three public consultative meetings inDundee, Edinburgh and Oban where local stakeholders, customer represen…
17 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the contents of the report by the Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police on the conduct of the initial police investigation into the murder of Lawrence Haggart.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Chief Constable of Central Scotland Police invited Mr James Mackay, Deputy Chief Constable of Tayside Police to conduct an inquiry into the handling of the Lawrence Haggart murder investigation. Any decisions regarding the publication of Mr Mackay's repor…
17 Sep 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a statement about the police investigation into the murder of Lawrence Haggart and indicate what action has been taken against the police officers who conducted the initial investigation.
Answer · Jim Wallace: At the conclusion of Brian Beattie's trial for the murder of Lawrence Haggart the Chief Constable of Central Scotland Police immediately invited Mr James Mackay, Deputy Chief Constable Tayside Police, to conduct an inquiry into the way in which the murde…