Fergus Ewing

29 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2064 by Allan Wilson on 11 September 2003, who the consultants appointed by the European Commission to audit LIFE projects are.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The independent consultants referredto in question S2W-2064 are Nature Link International. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for whichcan be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parl…

29 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2062 by Allan Wilson on 11 September 2003, whether it will provide a breakdown of the 7,355,440 total contributed, showing the actual sum to be contributed by (a) it, (b) Scottish Natural Heritage, (c) the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, …

Answer · Allan Wilson: As detailed in my previous answer to parliamentary question S2W-2062, the Scottish Executive has made available direct match funding totalling 138,571 euros and the European Commission 50% support equates to €3,677,720.</p><p>The Forestry Commission Scotland …

29 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS), or those acting under their authority, is legally entitled to use any type of rifle other than bolt action rifles in the culling of deer and, if so, what types of rifle it is entitled to use.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Yes. The Deer (Firearms etc.)(Scotland) Order 1985 identifies the types of rifle DCS and those acting under itsauthority are legally entitled to use.</p>

28 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in respect of its initial response to the Finance Committee's 2nd Report 2004 (Session 2) Report on Scottish Water (SP Paper 125), the current Water Industry Commissioner will be replaced when his current contract expires; on what date the contract expires, and whether there will…

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive’s intention isthat the post holder of the Office of Water Industry Commissioner will assume theresponsibility of chief executive upon the establishment of the new commission.The appointment of the chief executive and the commissioners of the new…

28 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any form of legal action has been taken, or threatened, by the Water Industry Commissioner against Scottish Water and, if so, what any such legal action or threat of legal action was.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The powers of the Water IndustryCommissioner are set out in the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002. The use of suchpowers is an operational matter for the Commissioner.</p>

28 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what sum (a) has been spent on legal expenses and (b) is due in respect of legal expenses as yet uninvoiced by the Water Industry Commissioner and whether any of that sum has been in relation to employment tribunal cases raised against the commissioner.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Water Industry Commissioneris entitled to seek such legal advice as he feels necessary in the discharge ofhis functions, including issues relating to the employment of his staff. His officeinformed me that it incurred total legal costs of £52,948 during t…

22 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the ministerial statement on 21 April by the Minister for Justice on the prisoner escort and court custody services contract, whether Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd will assume responsibility for the transfer of prisoners with a psychiatric mental health condition to, and…

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>The contract with Reliance includesescorting those detained under the Mental Health (Scotland) Act1984. Risk assessments are undertak…

22 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the ministerial statement on 21 April 2004 by the Minister for Justice on the prisoner escort and court custody services contract, whether the contract between the Scottish Prison Service and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd was approved by the minister before it became fin…

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>Ministers did not approve thecontract. It was approved by the Scottish Prison Service which is responsible foroperational and commercial ma…

21 Apr 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on whether there should be no reduction of services at the Belford Hospital, Fort William.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Our policy isto provide services as close as possible to people’s homes, consistent with deliveringsafe and high quality healthcare. What this means at Fort William is a matter forNHS Highland to consider in consultation with local people. Any proposals for m…

8 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what requests it has received from NHS Highland, or its predecessor body, with regard to the review the board is currently conducting with NHS Argyll and Clyde into the provision of health services in the west Highlands; in particular, whether it has received any request for advice, infor…

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: There have been no specific,formal requests from NHS Highland for advice or direction on health services inthe West Highlands. The Executive’s policies are clearly set out in the WhitePapers <i>Our National Health</i> (December 2000) and <i>Partnership for Ca…

7 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1972 by Malcolm Chisholm on 3 September 2003, whether it has received the findings of "The Temple Review" led by Professor Sir John Temple and, if so, on what date they were received; what the implications of these findings will be for the review of…

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: A preliminary report on the findingsand recommendations within the “Temple Review” was submitted by Professor Sir John Temple on 17 December 2003. </p><p>The formal report will be publishedshortly. The Scottish Executive will also be issuing a separate report…

5 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will urge Caledonian MacBrayne to enter into discussions with Highland Council to consider the introduction of an additional service on Friday afternoon and Monday morning for those children resident in the small isles who attend Mallaig High School.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: This matter was raised in responseto our consultation exercise on the draft Invitation to Tender for the Clyde and Hebrides ferryservices. We received a good response to the consultation and we are currently finalisingthe service specification, reflecting poi…

2 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to obtain views from the outdoor industry and related organisations in connection with the draft Work at Height Regulations and, if not, whether it has any plans to do so.

Answer · Frank McAveety: I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-7439 on 4 April 2004. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for whichcan be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp…

2 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to Her Majesty's Government with regard to any potential impact on the outdoor industry of the draft Work at Height Regulations.

Answer · Frank McAveety: I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-7439 on 4 May 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/s…

2 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any submissions to the consultation regarding the draft Work at Height Regulations conducted by the Health and Safety Executive; whether these regulations will have any adverse impact on the outdoor industry, and what the reasons are for its position on the matter.

Answer · Frank McAveety: We are aware of the concernsfelt by the outdoor and adventure activities sector about the implementation inthe UK of the EC Directive on Temporary Work at Height. At our request, the Healthand Safety Executive have been copying us into responses from Scotland…

2 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what reports or advice the First Minister has received from the current Chief Executive of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and Head of Legal and Parliamentary Services regarding the Holyrood project.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-7428 on 4 May 2004, which I believe also provides an appropriate responseto this question. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament'swebsite, the search facility for wh…

2 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether all correspondence with the Holyrood Inquiry regarding the evidence of the First Minister to the inquiry will be published.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: It is a matter for the Inquiryto decide which documents they make public. The First Minister's evidence was submittedin writing and has already been published on the Holyrood Inquiry website as document MS/25/001-002.</p>

2 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the advice received by the First Minister in respect of whether he would give oral evidence to the Holyrood Inquiry will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: It was a matter forthe inquiry to decide whether to ask the First Minister to supplement his writtenevidence by attending the inquiry in person. As was made clear in their statementof 25 March 2004, they decided not to do so on grounds thatall the relevant is…

2 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Forestry Commission or Forestry Enterprise use electric fencing in order to control deer and, if so, why such fencing is used; whether this type of fencing can be used by private landowners; what information it has received in respect of the use of this type of fencing; whet…

Answer · Allan Wilson: Forest Enterprise, Scotland currentlyhas 13.5 kilometres of electric fencing along boundaries in three locations, Mull, Glen Prosen and Rannoch. In twoareas Mull and Glen Prosen they are regardedas temporary measures to be used until agreement is reached on t…

2 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Deer Commission for Scotland has outlined to the Executive its reasons for not supporting deer fencing as an effective method of protecting trees; if not, whether this contributed to emergency measures to cull deer being taken, and whether the commission has acted upon advice …

Answer · Ross Finnie: The DeerCommission for Scotland (DCS) have statedpublicly that fencing can be an effective tool for deer management and have supportedits use in a number of locations.</p><p>DCS is obliged under the Deer(Scotland) Act 1996 to take action if it is satisfied th…

2 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Deer Commission for Scotland regard deer as vermin.

Answer · Ross Finnie: While there is no basis withinthe Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 for deer to be regarded vermin, any animal presentlocally in such high numbers as to impact materially on other legitimate interestsrequires to be effectively managed and controlled; as provided for i…

2 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has requested a report from the Deer Commission for Scotland in respect of the mass cull of deer in Glenfeshie; whether any such report will consider whether the commission acted properly and legally at all times and, if so, what independent opinion will be sought to inform suc…

Answer · Ross Finnie: Ministers have requested a reporton the conduct of the recent culls in Glenfeshie and in particular the role of theDeer Commission for Scotland (DCS). It will cover issues of legality, public safety,deer welfare and food hygiene. The report will be prepared b…

2 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that proper practices have been followed in respect of the mass cull of deer at Glenfeshie, and whether it will seek an independent opinion in respect of the commission's actions.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-7432 4 May 2004. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for whichcan be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/sear…

2 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in respect of the use by the Deer Commission for Scotland of emergency powers under the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 to effect the mass cull of deer; whether it is seeking any information from the commission regarding the recent use of such powers at Glenfeshie; whether i…

Answer · Ross Finnie: Parliament placed duties on theDeer Commission for Scotland (DCS) under the Deer (Scotland) Act1996 to take action when it is satisfied that serious damage is being caused toagriculture, woodland the natural heritage or a risk to public safety.  That actionin…

2 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the reports to the First Minister referred to in evidence to the Holyrood Inquiry by the Chief Executive of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and Head of Legal and Parliamentary Services included information on the rising costs of the Holyrood Project and, if so, when…

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-7428 on 4 May 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for whichcan be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/…

2 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-7089 by Ms Patricia Ferguson on 1 April 2004 and the further supplementary statement (WS-19-005 to 008) to the Holyrood Inquiry by the Chief Executive of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and Head of Legal and Parliamentary Services, whe…

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The “relevant documentation”referred to in the answer to question S2W-7089 includes reports made by the Chief Executive of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and Head of Legal andParliamentary Services to me and the previous Minister for Parliamen…

2 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-7089 by Ms Patricia Ferguson on 1 April 2004, whether copies of all documents referred to have been provided to the Holyrood Inquiry and what the reasons are for this information not being placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-7428 on 4 May 2004, which I believe also provides an appropriateresponse to this question. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for …

2 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will address the concerns of west coast prawn and scallop fishermen in relation to the "designated ports" process that applies in relation to landing haddock under the latest cod recovery programme.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The designated landing port arrangementsfor haddock apply to catches of haddock taken from the North Sea andEC waters of area IIa, not to west coast catches. However, the changes tothe haddock management arrangements we expect to be agreed soon at Council – w…

24 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the total amount is of capital resources provided through all private finance initiative and public private partnership projects and what proportion this forms of the total capital resources available in the public sector in each financial year since 1999-2000, broken down by sector.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Information on the Executive’soverall capital budgets and capital spending on public private partnerships projectsfor each portfolio for 2000-01 to 2003-04 is set out in <i>The Scottish Budget 2003-04,</i>a copy of which has been placed in the Parliament’s Re…

24 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11086 by Angus MacKay on 23 November 2000, whether it will (a) provide an up-to-date list of the public sector capital projects involving private finance (i) completed, (ii) planned and (iii) under way, giving both the start and estimated completion …

Answer · Andy Kerr: An up-to-date list of all currently active public private partnership projects known to the Executive is on the Financial Partnerships Unit website at <ahref="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/ppp">www.scotland.gov.uk/ppp</a> under the section projects. The informat…