Parliamentary questions

Fergus Ewing

2,894 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

8 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider its earlier refusal, as reported to me, to classify the Inverness Southern Distributor Road as part of the trunk road network and whether it will confirm its support for an Inverness city bypass, connecting the A82 from the west, the A9 from the south and the A9…

Answer · Tavish Scott: While Scottish ministers keep the strategic road network under review, there are no current plans to classify the Inverness Southern Distributor Road as part of the trunk road network. The Inverness Southern Distributor Road is a local road and therefo…

8 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake a study into the impact of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and its operations on the rural economy.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive undertook a Policy and Financial Management Review of SEPA, which reported in 2003. That study investigated the impact of SEPA’s operations and specifically sought the views of organisations regulated by SEPA, including those in rural a…

8 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has a policy of seeking an award of its legal expenses in successful legal actions or whether it forfeits or forgoes such expenses.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: This is an operational matter for SEPA. I have asked Dr Campbell Gemmell, Chief Executive of SEPA, to respond to the question direct.

8 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) can save money by its approach to raising legal actions and whether SEPA believes that all such actions have been necessary.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: SEPA has a duty to consider the costs and benefits of its activities, including the pursuit of enforcement against any breach of an environmental licence. In considering the appropriate enforcement action to pursue, SEPA takes account of the scale of environm…

8 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is required to meet efficiency targets and, if so, what these targets are and what savings will be achieved by meeting such targets.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is required to deliver efficiency savings as part of the Scottish Executive’s Efficient Government programme. SEPA is required to achieve £2 million of annually recurring cash releasing savings and annually re…

8 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will invite the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to provide a breakdown of the computation of its costs, if SEPA considers that the need to recover its costs is the reason for its proposal to increase the cost of sheep dip permits from £180 to £542.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Executive has already received SEPA’s costings which form the basis of the agency’s proposal to increase application charges for authorisations under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005.

8 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's proposal to increase the cost of sheep dip permits from £180 to £542 is justified and, if not, what action it will take on this matter.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has put forward proposals for a charging scheme in relation to authorisations under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005. These proposals are intended to enable the agency to reco…

4 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in its review of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, it will consider whether the Act can be extended to cover charities such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), insofar as the RSPB receives public funding in respect of some of its activities.

Answer · Margaret Curran: The review, and associated public consultation, will consider a number of aspects of the operation of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, including the criteria that should be applied in order to designate Scottish public authorities under section…

4 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has discharged its legal responsibilities as owners of Kinloch Castle in Rum; whether SNH has carried out necessary work to the building in order to keep it in good and safe condition; whether it will invite SNH to put forward its …

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Kinloch Castle is a category A-listed building in the ownership of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). SNH has taken steps to keep the property wind and watertight and has sought and received professional advice from Historic Scotland on the architectural intere…

26 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it received the work commissioned from Steer Davies Gleave on the application of EU rules in other member states and published in Research and Advice on Risk Management in Relation to the Subsidy of Ferry Services at one time or over a period of time; if it was received at one tim…

Answer · Tavish Scott: The advice commissioned fromSteer Davies Gleave was received over a period of time, starting on 14 January 2005, withthe final report received on 31 August 2005.

18 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it anticipates that it will follow the guidance set out in its letter of 20 March 2001 to the Procedures Committee, or any updated guidance, in respect of Executive amendments to bills by lodging any amendments it proposes to be made during Stage 3 consideration of the Licensing (…

Answer · George Lyon: We fully expect to adhere to the guidelines in lodging any Scottish Executive Amendments.

18 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek an increase in the west coast monkfish total allowable catch.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Yes.

18 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the methods of surveying nephrops stocks provide an accurate measurement of stocks; if so, whether it will seek to agree a higher nephrops total allowable catch (TAC) for the west coast and secure such a TAC ahead of the December Agriculture and Fisheries Council…

Answer · Ross Finnie: Yes.

10 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will include in the draft Crofting Reform Bill a provision such as that contained in Schedule l of the current Crofters Scotland Act 1993 which provides that "the Secretary of State may provide the services of such officers and servants as the Commission may require" and what i…

Answer · Rhona Brankin: No. The changes proposed in the draft Crofting Reform Bill will empower the Crofters Commission to employ its own staff. It is not possible to include a provision such as the one suggested as it would have the effect of fettering the new commission in relatio…

4 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will appoint a representative of the recreational sea angling sector to the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland introduces significant changes to the management, organisation and development of inshore fisheries. Implementation of the framework is on-going and progressing well. Part of this process will involve…

4 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why the recreational sea angling sector is not represented on the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group (SIFAG) deals primarily with matters relating to the commercial fishing sector. A key part of the group’s current work is the on-going implementation of the Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland. T…

22 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether full access to all accounting and other relevant information will be given to NHS Highland in respect of the proposed re-drawing of boundaries between NHS Argyll and Clyde, NHS Highland and NHS Greater Glasgow.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Yes, I can confirm that NHS Highland, and indeed NHS Greater Glasgow, will be given full access to all accounting and other relevant information in respect of the proposed re-drawing of boundaries between NHS Argyll and Clyde and the two boards. NHS Ar…

22 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any request for information from NHS Highland regarding the cost of services within the NHS Argyll and Clyde area transferring to it and, in particular, the (a) resource allocation that this area will attract, (b) share of any in-year deficit that remains outstandi…

Answer · Andy Kerr: I am not aware of any formal requests from NHS Highland regarding the cost of services within the NHS Argyll and Clyde area transferring to it under the proposals for the dissolution of the board. However, the Health Department is currently analysing the impa…

20 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Track Access Grant is payable in arrears.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Yes. Track Access Grant is paid in arrears based on actual freight carried by rail.

20 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent it regards the Track Access Grant and Freight Facilities Grant schemes as successful; what monitoring is carried out of compliance with the conditions of grant; whether it considers that such monitoring has been sufficient; whether an audit of each of the schemes has been u…

Answer · Tavish Scott: These freight grant schemes are successful, having removed at least 60 million lorry miles from Scotland’s roads since 1999. The Freight Facilities Grant scheme has had a significant and positive impact on the freight infrastructure of Scotland as a catalyst …

20 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been allocated (a) in total and (b) broken down by scheme to the Track Access Grant and Freight Facilities Grant schemes (i) in each year since inception and (ii) for the next two years.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Budget allocated to the Freight Facilities Grant and Track Access Grant schemes by the Scottish Executive: <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> Financial Year</td> <td> Freig…

20 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of any instances where a recipient of (a) Track Access Grant or (b) Freight Facilities Grant has been asked to repay any element as a consequence of the purpose for which the grant was given not having been fulfilled for the requisite period.

Answer · Tavish Scott: There is only one case involved. On 26 November 2001, the Executive made an award of freight facilities grant totalling £289,469 but rail freight traffic to the business concerned ceased well before it was able to fulfil its commitments in the grant offer agr…

16 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many representations it received in favour of the proposal for an islands regional transport partnership, announced in its news release 105820 on 21 July 2005.

Answer · Tavish Scott: One.

16 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the boundaries of the regional transport partnerships under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 will accord with those referred to in its news release 105820 on 21 July 2005.

Answer · Tavish Scott: A draft Regional Transport Partnership (Establishment and Constitution) (Scotland) Order 2005 was circulated to local authorities and SPT on 21 July 2005. This included proposals for the boundaries of the regional transport partnerships. I am carefully consid…

16 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will bring forward its proposals for the boundaries of the regional transport partnerships under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Proposals for boundaries of the regional transport partnerships were included in the draft Regional Transport Partnership (Establishment and Constitution) (Scotland) Order 2005 that was circulated to local authorities and SPT on 21 July 2005. I am currently c…

5 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the rate of progress made by BT in respect of broadband provision in rural areas; what measures are in place to monitor BT's progress towards installing cabling to connect rural households to broadband, and when it expects such cabling to be installed in Carrb…

Answer · Tavish Scott: Under the Executive’s contract award with BT, 378 rural exchanges are being enabled for broadband. This roll-out is proceeding to plan and monitoring is in place to ensure we deliver access to every community by the end of 2005. There is a technical is…

30 Aug 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the letter of 14 July 2005 from the Minister for Transport and Telecommunications in respect of the tendering costs of the first bid for lifeline ferry services currently provided by Caledonian MacBrayne, whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre each…

Answer · Tavish Scott: Much of the work undertaken by consultants commissioned by the Executive has contributed to the development of Scottish Executive policy on this subject and has been reflected in documents that have already been published. These documents include the followin…

26 Aug 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it estimates that the (a) M74 extension, (b) A68 Dalkeith Bypass, (c) A8000 upgrade and (d) new crossing of the Forth at Kincardine will commence and be completed and what the current estimated total cost is of each project.

Answer · Tavish Scott: I cannot add to the information given on the M74 in my previous reply to parliamentary question S2W-18488 answered on 9 September 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can…

26 Aug 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive to what transport projects funding has been committed using funding which was to have been used for the delayed M74 extension.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Following the Court of Session challenge to the M74 Completion, arrangements are being made to seek tenders for the A876 Upper Forth Crossing at Kincardine, the A68 Dalkeith Bypass, the A830 Arisaig to Loch Nan Uamh improvement and 3 Route Action Plan improve…

26 Aug 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the delay to the M74 extension will have on its transport budget in the current financial year and each of the next two years and whether it will provide a table comparing the provision for this scheme in this financial year and the next two years (a) before and (b) after the …

Answer · Tavish Scott: We expect that the allowance previously made for the acquisition of land for the M74 in the current financial year will not now be fully utilised and therefore £54.5 million will be set aside to meet deferred payment in future years. Future provision for cons…