Fergus Ewing

29 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received a statement from the management and/or owners of Arjo Wiggins paper mill, Corpach, in respect of the impending redundancy of 58 employees; whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government in respect of any grant that Arjo Wiggins sought or received…

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive is being kept fully informed of developments at the Arjo Wiggins paper mill in Corpach. Officials from Highlands and Islands Enterprise met the company's senior management to discuss the job loss situation and also what assistance can b…

29 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether BEAR Scotland Ltd has complied with the necessary specifications contained in its contract with the Executive in relation to ground maintenance of trunk roads.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The independent Performance Audit Group has confirmed that BEAR Scotland Ltd has complied with the specifications for ground maintenance.

29 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the standard of ground maintenance of the trunk road network in the Highland Council area complies with the Executive's contract with BEAR Scotland Ltd.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-503 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_…

29 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the standard of ground maintenance of the trunk road network in the Highlands Council area is adequate.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive provides for the same level of landscape maintenance on all Scottish trunk roads and the standard is adequate. The Performance Audit Group (PAG) monitors BEAR's performance and any deficiencies identified will be addressed.

29 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will include the upgrading to dual track of the remaining single track section of the A830 in its programme for trunk road improvements and, if so, within what timescale this work will commence.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Highland Council have already been appointed to bring forward preparation work for this scheme. Construction will depend on the success of statutory procedures and the availability of funding, including European Funds from the Highland and Island Transitional…

27 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in what circumstances Scottish ministers might use their powers of direction in respect of non-departmental public bodies.

Answer · Andy Kerr: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-4 on 3 June 2003. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/…

27 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in respect of which non-departmental public bodies Scottish ministers have the powers of direction and what these powers relate to.

Answer · Andy Kerr: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-4 on 3 June 2003. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/…

27 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the powers of direction of Scottish Ministers in respect of non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) were used during the first session of the Parliament and, if so, in which instances.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Powers of direction vary from body to body. There is a wide range of terminology used in statute to describe directions that can be given to NDPBs. The power is normally contained in each body's establishing legislation or other founding framework documentati…

27 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any calculation of the cost of providing a mountain rescue service where the existing voluntary provision by mountain rescue teams has been withdrawn and, if so, what its estimate is of the total annual cost of providing such a service.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Executive is not aware of any existing voluntary provision by mountain rescue teams having been withdrawn and no estimates have been made of the costs of providing such a service.

27 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to question S1F-2580 by Mr Jack McConnell on 13 March 2003, when it will make an announcement on secure funding for mountain rescue teams.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: We are still in discussion with mountain rescue representatives and police forces about this funding stream but intend to make an announcement about revised funding arrangements later this year.

27 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to assist the scallop fishing industry.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Scallop Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from the Executive, Food Standards Agency Scotland, Fisheries Research Services (FRS) and the scallop industry, is developing options for research that will inform the science behind the …

27 May 2003 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer, further to the answer to question S1W-8962 by Sir David Steel on 21 August 2000, whether the works package in respect of "MSP Cladding" included the windows contract.

Answer · George Reid: Yes.

26 May 2003 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the Fort William Medical Community Working Group's proposal that Belford Hospital become a rural general hospital and what action it will take to put this proposal into effect.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: It is for NHS Highland in the first place to consider any proposals for service change and development in consultation with all interested parties and the wider public.

21 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet representatives of the Highland Council to discuss the proposed final route of the Sustrans cycle network link between Newtonmore and Kingussie.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The trunk road cycling officer is meeting representatives of Highland Council on 10 June 2003. Highland Council's proposals for the route of this National Cycle Network link through Kingussie will be discussed as part of the agenda.

19 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what conclusions it has reached as a result of its consultation on Towards Better Oral Health in Children and whether it is minded to add fluoride to the public water supply.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: An independent analysis of the 1,400 written responses to the consultation on <I>Towards Better Oral Health in Children</I> is currently in train. The analysis, which will be published when completed, will inform our consideration of the measures needed to im…

15 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will urge sportscotland to approve the application for financial assistance in connection with the Morar playing field; what its position is on whether the decision by sportscotland on this application could have been made before the Parliament was dissolved and on the written …

Answer · Frank McAveety: The consideration and determination of individual lottery applications are matters for <B>sport</B>scotland. The role of ministers relates to the setting of strategic priorities and making Policy and Financial Directions.

13 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) to cease moving any further staff to Edinburgh in advance of the Parliament having an opportunity to debate the future of the college, given the position of the college management that no decision will be taken without the Par…

Answer · Ross Finnie: The current position is that SAC is addressing concerns that have been raised by me and others about its proposals for rationalisation. It will be submitting revised proposals to the Executive. No decision has been taken on a preferred option. Against that ba…

7 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce legislation to confer powers on local authorities to enable them to determine whether the existing 50% council tax discount for holiday homes should be removed in whole or in part and in respect of specific types of property; if so, whether it will enable local a…

Answer · Tavish Scott: We are giving careful consideration to the responses received to the recent consultation on council tax for second and long-term empty homes. Information on the number of second homes in each local authority is not held centrally.

7 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what powers of direction it has in relation to non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs); what its policy is on the use of such powers, and how it will ensure that all NDPBs operate and make decisions in an accountable and responsive manner.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Powers of direction vary from body to body. They are usually contained in each body's establishing legislation or other founding framework documentation. Powers may also be contained in legislation relevant to a body's functions or areas of responsibility.<P>…

7 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports an inquiry into proposals to close 42 fire auxiliary units in the Highland Council area.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The programme of fire station upgrading is a matter for the Highland and Islands Fire Board. I understand that at this stage no decision has been made about closure of basic volunteer stations. If, following consideration by the board, such a decision is reac…

7 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to HM Inspector of Fire Services and the Health and Safety Executive in relation to proposals to close 42 fire auxiliary units in the Highland Council area

Answer · Hugh Henry: None - Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services in Scotland provides professional advice to Scottish ministers.

7 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to VisitScotland that it should display on the visitscotland.com website online booking system full contact details of those accommodation providers that subscribe to the website, ensuring equal prominence with the contact details of the VisitScotland …

Answer · Mike Watson: This is an operational matter for visitscotland.com.

17 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what account it has taken of any representations received from the National Farmers Union Scotland on the impact of any revised proposals drafted by the EU Commission for the protection of animals during transport.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive is still awaiting the Commission's proposed amendments to EC Directive 91/625 on the welfare of animals during transport. The proposals are unlikely to be published until some time in May and the National Farmers Union of Scotland will be consul…

17 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the EU structural funds allocated to the Highlands and Islands has been used on road improvements in each year since 1999 and how much it estimates will be used on the basis of its present policy intentions in the current year and the next two years.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: No structural funds monies have been allocated to trunk roads projects during this period, or in the current year. The Executive is currently considering making application for Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme support for the proposed upgr…

17 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Transport Planning Group will meet representatives of the Fort William and District Chamber of Commerce to discuss the Chamber of Commerce's campaign to upgrade the A82.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: On 20 March I announced that we will be commissioning a full Route Action Plan study for the A82 trunk road between Tarbet and Fort William. This study will identify particular problems on the route and identify priorities and targets for future investment in…

17 Mar 2003 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-33760 on 19 February 2003, whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) will provide a breakdown of the #56 million estimate for fees for the Holyrood Project referred to in his letter of 12 March 2003 placed in the Scottish Parliament Inf…

Answer · David Steel: It remains the case that the SPCB still regards the details of the amount of fees paid to professional consultants as commercially confidential for reasons given previously and a breakdown of these fees cannot presently be given.

17 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received representations from Dumfries and Galloway Council in relation to the rejection of the recommendation made to the Executive by the reporter to the planning inquiry that the proposed weight restriction order U111w to the Polbae Road near Newton Stewart be not made; …

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: To date, no representations have been received.<P>Should representations be received, it would not be appropriate to make any specific comment at this time which could prejudice any future involvement the Scottish ministers may have.

17 Mar 2003 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer whether there has been any change to the latest estimate of #324 million of the cost of the Holyrood project; if so, what the estimate is now; whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) will inform the public of any change to the costs in the period between 31 March and 1 May…

Answer · David Steel: There has been no change to the estimate of cost as last reported to the Finance Committee. Costs are kept under constant review by the Cost Consultant and by Project Management and reports are made on a fortnightly basis to the Holyrood Progress Group (HPG).…

14 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for injury benefit have been received under the National Health Service (Scotland) (Injury Benefits) Regulations 1998 as amended in each year since the regulations came into force and what percentage of these were successful on (a) first application, (b) review and (…

Answer · Andy Kerr: Statistics for the three complete years 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02 as well as for the year 2002-03 to date are given in the table. It should be noted that the National Health Service (Scotland) (Injury Benefits) Regulations 1998 provide for successful app…

14 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take to assist the scallop fishing industry; whether it will make any announcement in connection with the scallop industry before the dissolution of the Parliament, and whether there will be any decision taken by the Food Standards Agency in relation to the industry …

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive is committed to working with the scallop industry to protect scallop stocks and to explore the scope for new research in the context of amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). The Scottish Scallop Advisory Committee, which includes representatives of…