Parliamentary questions
Fergus Ewing
2,894 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
9 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-8985 by Patricia Ferguson on 5 July 2004 on the provision of information to the Holyrood Inquiry before 1 September 2003, why material has been provided to the Inquiry relating to the factual position of the Holyrood project after 1 September 2003, s…
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: Document SE/9/218 on the HolyroodInquiry website has been recorded incorrectly as dating from February 2004. As thetext of the document makes clear, the document is dated 26 October 2001.</p><p>The remit of the inquiry doesnot refer to 1 September 2003. Howe…
7 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum came into existence; how much funding for research it has (a) considered and (b) approved to date and, if no funding has been considered or approved to date, whether the Executive is satisfied with the forum's performance and when the forum wi…
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum (SARF) was formally established as a charitable company limited by guarantee on 28 April 2004. It has made good progress since establishment, member organisations have committed resources, both in cash and in kind, to S…
6 Jul 2004 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether, with regard to the Holyrood project, the sum due in respect of trade package 1510 of #2.2 million for tower cranes included payment to the operators of the cranes.
Answer · George Reid: Yes.</p>
6 Jul 2004 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether the contractual obligations incumbent upon Ballast Construction Scotland and Hewcon Ltd, in terms of the trade works packages awarded to them, were completed satisfactorily and whether each company has been paid in full.
Answer · George Reid: The primary contractualobligations in both trade packages were completed and Certificates of PracticalCompletion were issued. Hewcon attended to all proven defects notified to themduring their defects liability period and have had all retention moniesreleased…
6 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-9319 by Mr Frank McAveety on 5 July 2004, whether the decision regarding the application for the restoration of Castle Tioram was taken by the minister or by Historic Scotland under delegated authority and, if the decision was taken by Historic Scotl…
Answer · Frank McAveety: Historic Scotland is an Agency of the Scottish Executive and all functions it performs are carried out on behalf of the Scottish ministers. </p><p> The decision to accept the independent Inquiry Reporter's recommendation that the application for scheduled mon…
6 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will agree to hold a local referendum inviting local residents to express their views on whether they support the plans for restoration, consolidation or taking no action in respect of Castle Tioram and, if so, whether it will invite the Electoral Reform Society to carry out s…
Answer · Frank McAveety: No. The owners' application for scheduled monument consent for the restoration of Castle Tioram has completed all the necessary statutory procedures, including being the subject of a public local inquiry held in the area over 29 days at which local residents …
6 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is concerned that the time taken by it and Historic Scotland to consider the issues relating to Castle Tioram may be causing, or contributing to, a risk of further deterioration to the condition of the castle.
Answer · Frank McAveety: The responsibility for maintaining Castle Tioram rests with the owners. There are no applications relating to the Castle currently before the Scottish Executive. </p><p>As I stated in my letter to you of 24 May 2004, following a meeting between my officials a…
6 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-9427 by Allan Wilson on 5 July 2004, whether it will place the project plan submitted by Scottish Natural Heritage in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre; what advice has been given in the tender documentation to tenderers in respect of price,…
Answer · Allan Wilson: SNH’s project plan is an evolving document that reflects all the elements needed to make the move to Inverness happen. The plan currently contains some human resource information that has yet to be put to staff, and some commercially-sensitive information tha…
2 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the email regarding Holyrood landscaping of 2 July 1999 (Holyrood Inquiry reference SE/9/011 under “Landscaping”), what the agreement made by the First Minister was; whether the agreement was that the landscaping would have a budget of #10 million; on what dat…
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The other papers submitted by the Scottish Executive to the Inquiry on this issue (for example SE/9/013 and SE/9/051) make it clear that the agreement referred to was that the Scottish Executive would meet the costs of roadworks and landscaping associated wit…
2 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will meet representatives of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association to discuss the report, Operations involving the Deer Commission for Scotland in Glenfeshie and Strathglass.
Answer · Ross Finnie: When I wrote to the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) on 9 June providing an advance copy of the official report into the operations at Glenfeshie and Strathglass I asked that as a first step they reflect on the conclusions drawn by the report, my respon…
2 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the factual basis is for the conclusion in the report, Operations involving the Deer Commission for Scotland in Glenfeshie and Strathglass, that it is “not uncommon during traditional culling operations” for there to be delays of 15 minutes from hinds being wounded until t…
Answer · Ross Finnie: The report noted that there had been delays of up to 15 minutes in respect of two of the deer culled and concluded that such delays, whilst unfortunate, were not uncommon during traditional culling operations. There are a number of relevant research findings.…
2 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has introduced a moratorium on the use of helicopters in deer culling and, if so, whether that moratorium will be made permanent.
Answer · Ross Finnie: In my letter of 9 June tothe Deer Commission for Scotland, I specifically asked the organisation to clarifyhow the Code of Practice guidance on the use of vehicles for driving deer shouldapply to helicopters.</p><p>In his initial response tomy letter, the Cha…
2 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received about the legality of shooting deer from helicopters.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Section 20 (1) (a) of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 provides that any person who discharges any firearm or discharges or projects any missile from any moving vehicle at any deer shall be guilty of an offence. In addition to specific exceptions, Section 20 is s…
2 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will recommend that representatives of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association experienced in deer management should be appointed to the Deer Commission for Scotland.
Answer · Ross Finnie: We will shortly beadvertising for new members for the Deer Commission for Scotland. Appointmentswill be made on merit and in compliance with the Commissioner for PublicAppointments’ Code of Practice. Members of the Scottish Gamekeepers Associationwill of cour…
2 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will promote venison as a food that is low in fat, high in protein and a nutritious part of diet for children in order to promote healthy eating and tackle obesity.
Answer · Tom McCabe: The Scottish Executive isencouraging children to choose a healthy, balanced diet of which lean meat,including venison, forms an important part. In tackling obesity the ScottishExecutive is also supporting children and adults to take part in regularphysical ac…
2 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce legislation to repeal the provisions of section 14 of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 that exempt the Deer Commission for Scotland from laws governing the culling of deer.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I have no plans to repealSection 14.</p>
30 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-9063 by Nicol Stephen on 29 June 2004, whether it will publish its evaluation of HITRANS' proposals for a Highlands and Islands air network; what the estimated cost is of the work commissioned from AviaSolutions, and by what date AviaSolutions must r…
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The evaluation of the proposalsby the Highlands and Islands Strategic Transport Partnership (HITRANS)for an air transport network in the Highlands and Islands will not be published. The Executive will, however, shareinformation with HITRANS with the common ob…
29 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the #140,000 referred to by the Minister for Environment and Rural Development as being the amount by which the Water Industry Commissioner exceeded his permitted expenditure for running his office and, in particular, whether that sum included any am…
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Water Industry Commissioner’s overspend occurred in 2003-04 and related largely to resourcing extra work on Scottish Water’s business planning and charging policies. Any payments due to employees or former employees in relation to the settlement of disput…
29 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on whether any public sector employee dismissed for sectarian behaviour should not receive any terminal payment, such as a lump sum payment, in recognition of the unacceptability of such behaviour and whether it requires to amend the contract terms of contracts of emplo…
Answer · Tavish Scott: The Civil Service Management Code sets out regulations and instructions to departments and agencies regarding the terms and conditions of service of civil servants. The code provides delegated authority to departments and agencies to apply sanctions as result…
29 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has confidence in the Water Industry Commissioner.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Water Industry Commissioner has shown himself to be an effective economic regulator by providing detailed comparative analysis of the performance of Scottish Water and its predecessor bodies in, for example, such key areas as capital procurement, capital …
29 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, with reference to the report in the Sunday Mail on 27 June 2004 that a claim made to an industrial tribunal, based on allegations of religious and racial bias, against the Water Industry Commissioner, Alan Sutherland, brought by former employee, William Hetherington, has been se…
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive expects the Water Industry Commissioner to act in accordance with his responsibilities under the law and the code of conduct under the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc (Scotland) Act 2000. Ministers may terminate this appointment on a range …
29 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the report in Scotland on Sunday on 27 June 2004 relating to the tender and post-tender process followed by the City of Edinburgh Council for the #60 million extension to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), (a) what information it has received about th…
Answer · Tavish Scott: The conduct of procurement procedures by local authorities is largely a matter for the individual authority concerned, subject of course to any relevant legal requirements such as obligations under EU procurement law. Also, we understand that the procurement …
29 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-9052 by Allan Wilson on 28 June 2004, whether the cost of the Scottish Natural Heritage headquarters is an operational matter for Scottish Natural Heritage and, if not, what the cost of the building is estimated to be and whether the costs will be me…
Answer · Allan Wilson: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is responsible for planning and implementing the relocation of its Edinburgh headquarters to Inverness. SNH submitted a project plan covering all aspects of the relocation which ministers accepted as a basis for SNH to develop …
23 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered using existing reports and studies obtained by the owners of Castle Tioram in relation to the building's structure, history and culture.
Answer · Frank McAveety: I have asked Graeme Munro, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to reply. His response is as follows:</p><p>Existing reports and studies obtained by the owners of Castle Tioram into the monument’s structure, history and culture were considered by the Inquiry…
23 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether its position in respect of the upgrading of the A96 or any part thereof has changed and whether it will include upgrading of the A96 in any forthcoming announcement of trunk road improvements.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: Our position has not changed. We are committed to over £22 million of improvement schemes on the A96, but there are no current plans to upgrade the entire route to dual carriageway.</p>
23 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will bring forward details of the replacement to the Livestock Improvement Scheme (LIS); on what date any new scheme is intended to come into force, and whether there will be any gap between the date of cessation of the LIS and commencement of a replacement scheme.
Answer · Allan Wilson: It is currently expected that firm proposals for a scheme to replace the Bull Hire Scheme will be finalised and published in October with a view to obtaining state aid approval and introducing the scheme in early 2005. Hires arranged under the Bull Hire Schem…
18 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is appropriate to use pens in order to enclose deer prior to shooting them; whether this practice is humane; what evidence it has in respect of the extent to which deer culled in this manner suffer from stress, and how the humaneness of this method of killing deer compares wit…
Answer · Ross Finnie: Based on advice on best practice from the State Veterinary Service and the Deer Commission for Scotland, we have no reason to believe that the use of live capture pens to handle wild deer causes undue stress. As with any animal handling system, welfare will l…
18 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote the restoration of Kinloch Castle; whether Kinloch Castle is on the Scottish Civic Trust's buildings at risk register and, if so, what implications this has for the castle's future and whether this renders it eligible for any public funding towards the…
Answer · Allan Wilson: Kinloch Castle is owned and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). This is therefore an operational matter for SNH. I understand that SNH are in discussion with the Phoenix Trust to investigate possible approaches to securing the castle’s future.</p>
15 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the impact of regulations in respect of the development for housing of brown field sites is justified; whether the system in respect of such regulations should be simplified, and whether it has carried out any research into additional costs for housing development resulting from c…
Answer · Mary Mulligan: There are no regulations relating to the development of new housing on brownfield land. However, it is well established policy to promote the re-use of previously developed land in preference to development on greenfield sites, where appropriate, to encourage…
15 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated annual cost is of the Culture Commission; by what date must it report to the Executive, and whether such costs will represent value for money.
Answer · Frank McAveety: I announced to Parliament on 22 April that the Cultural Commission would report to Ministers by June 2005. I reported the provisional budget of £478,000 in answer to question S2W-8237 on 11 June 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availab…