Parliamentary questions

Fergus Ewing

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

15 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is legally bound in any way by the provisions of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information and, if not, what the precise status and effect of the code is.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Paragraph 8 of Part 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information states that the "Code is non-statutory and cannot override provisions contained in statutory rights of access to information or records (nor can it ov…

15 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to (a) review and (b) reform the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, in particular, section 28.

Answer · Sam Galbraith: I am currently considering what improvements could be made to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and will make an announcement in due course.

13 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce measures under the Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 as amended with regard to the provision for pension scheme benefits in divorce case settlements and, if so, on what date such measures will be introduced.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-6241 on 19 April 2000.

9 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the precise objections of the Health Department's Reference Laboratory Group were to the evidence it received regarding the proposed method of tiered testing of scallops and the public health implications of such a method, what further work is necessary on this evidence, by what dat…

Answer · Susan Deacon: The Food Standards Agency has advised me that the EU ASP Working Group requested further information on the variation of toxin levels in individual parts of the scallop. A second, more detailed scientific report addressing this issue has been prepared and wil…

9 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be a Biodiversity Action Plan corncrake seminar in 2000 and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · Sam Galbraith: It is for the Steering Group of the UK Corncrake Biodiversity Action Plan to decide whether a corncrake seminar is required as part of its work programme. I understand that they do not intend to hold a Biodiversity Action Plan seminar in 2000.

9 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been and will be taken to ensure that the planning appeals system is compliant with Article 6(1) of the European Convention of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Answer · Sam Galbraith: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-6799 on 30 May 2000.

9 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who is responsible for the appointment of Reporters in planning inquiries; whether it will detail any plans to review the method of appointment, and whether such appointments should in future be made independent of it.

Answer · Sam Galbraith: As with other Scottish Executive civil servants, full-time Reporters are selected on merit through fair and open recruitment competition and appointed by the Scottish Executive Directorate of Personnel and Pay following the successful completion of a probatio…

9 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning applications have been called in by Scottish Ministers and a Reporter appointed and how many were called in where Historic Scotland opposed the proposed development, in each of the last 10 years.

Answer · Sam Galbraith: The information required is only available from 1993, and is as follows:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=616><TR><TD WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">Year</TD><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">Total applications called-…

9 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in how many planning applications for listed building consent, which have not yet been determined and concluded, has a decision been made by Scottish Ministers to call in the application and to appoint a Reporter where the opposition to the application has been maintained by Historic Scot…

Answer · Allan Wilson: I have asked Graeme Munro, Director and Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:-The number of applications for listed building and conservation area consent called-in by Scottish Ministers (or previously…

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered whether a small business rates relief scheme could be administered by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise or the costs met from their budgets; if so, when this possibility was first considered; whether this possibility has been discussed by (…

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The best means of administering a small business rates relief scheme is being considered carefully as part of our assessment. I am keen to ensure that administration costs can be minimised as far as possible.

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what date it first considered any relationship between a small business rates relief scheme and the transitional rates relief scheme.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The current transitional relief scheme provides relief to all qualifying businesses, including small businesses.

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether rateable values in Scotland and in England and Wales are now harmonised and, if not, which hereditaments do not have harmonised rateable values.

Answer · Peter Peacock: A harmonised approach to determining rateable values has been adopted between Scotland, England and Wales. Assessors have confirmed that there are no specific classes of property where harmonisation is considered to be an issue.

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has informed non-domestic ratepayers or businesses, in information leaflets or by any other method, of the variation in the rate poundage between Scotland and England and between Scotland and Wales.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Executive published a paper on 17 January explaining the calculations underlying the Scottish non-domestic rate poundage for 2000-01. This included an explanation of the reasons for the differences in rate poundage north and south of the Border.

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to (a) review, (b) consult on and (c) legislate on the issue of control of levels of rentals of hereditaments.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive currently has no plans to review, consult on or legislate on the issue of the levels of rents of heritable property.

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether implementing a small business rates relief scheme would give rise to additional costs for local authorities and what the nature and level of any such additional costs would be.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The costs of administering any small business rates relief scheme will be taken into account in considering how best to proceed. We are considering the position on rate relief for small businesses and will announce before Christmas what conclusions have been …

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of all the administration costs which would arise from the introduction of a small business rates relief scheme.

Answer · Peter Peacock: It is not possible to provide such a breakdown. It depends on the type of scheme which may be introduced.

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses in Scotland are not liable for non-domestic rates.

Answer · Peter Peacock: This information is not collected centrally.

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many new businesses would be created in the period to 2009 as a result of a small business rates relief scheme being introduced on 1 April 2001.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-11068.

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many existing small businesses would cease trading in the period 2009 if a small business rates relief scheme is not introduced on 1 April 2001.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-11068.

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether a form of small business rates relief scheme would assist in achieving its target of creating 100,000 new small businesses by 2009.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: I refer Mr Fergus Ewing to the answer I gave to question S1W-11068 on 22 November.

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether introduction of the small business rates relief scheme proposed by the Federation of Small Businesses would assist in achieving the Executive's target of creating 100,000 new small businesses by 2009.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The impact on new business starts and existing businesses would depend on the details of any small business rates relief scheme which may be introduced. By reducing costs a relief scheme may help encourage more individuals to start-up in business and improve …

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consult the Local Government Committee prior to making any ministerial statement on a small business rates relief scheme and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Local Government Committee invited Ministers to report back on the Executive's thinking on the issue of small business rates relief. This will be done before any rate relief scheme is established.

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, if it decides to introduce a small business rates relief scheme, such a decision will be announced by means of (a) a Ministerial Statement, (b) an answer to a parliamentary question or (c) a press release.

Answer · Peter Peacock: We are considering the position on rate relief for small businesses and will announce before Christmas what conclusions have been drawn and how we intend to proceed. Decisions on the most appropriate method of such an announcement will be made nearer the time.

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make a Ministerial Statement on a small business rates relief scheme.

Answer · Peter Peacock: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-11050.

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which bodies it has met to discuss a small business rates relief scheme since 8 December 1999.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Executive has discussed the issue of small business rates relief with representatives of the following bodies; in some cases separately or as part of the business representatives group meetings:British Hospitality Association;<P ALIGN="…

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates its Cabinet has discussed a small business rates relief scheme.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Cabinet regularly discusses issues relating to the financing of local government of which matters relating to business rates forms part.

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Federation of Small Businesses' proposal for a small business rates relief scheme has been discussed at any meetings of the Joint Ministerial Committee and, if so, on what dates.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Joint Ministerial Committee has not discussed this matter.

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has met the Inland Revenue to discuss the Federation of Small Businesses' proposal for a small business rates relief scheme and, if not, whether it will now initiate such a meeting.

Answer · Peter Peacock: We are considering the position on rate relief for small businesses and will announce before Christmas what conclusions have been drawn and how we intend to proceed. We have not met with the Inland Revenue to discuss rate relief for small businesses.

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates since 8 December 1999 it has met (a) Ministers and (b) officials of the National Assembly for Wales to discuss a small business rates relief scheme.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive maintains close contact with the National Assembly for Wales on local taxation issues including those relating to small business rates relief.

8 Nov 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates since 8 December 1999 it has met (a) Ministers and (b) officials of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions to discuss a small business rates relief scheme.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive maintains close contact with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on local taxation issues including those relating to small business rates relief.