Fergus Ewing

4 Apr 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will amend the law in relation to ownership of landed estates in Scotland so that any non-resident owner, including all limited companies, may be required to appoint a mandatory, local agent to be legally responsible for performing the obligations of the owner.

Answer · Jim Wallace: We agree the importance of accessible local representation, but we see considerable difficulties with such a proposal for legislation. There would appear to be difficulties of regulation to ensure compliance by non-resident owners, and also of defining the le…

4 Apr 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Election Convention is still in existence and, if not, when it ceased to exist; who its members are or were; what its remit and role is or was, and whether the Commissioners were required to be independent and politically impartial.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Election Commission was set up in January 1999 by the five main political parties in Scotland to monitor their joint agreement in relation to the expenditure of, and donations to, political parties at the first elections to the Scottish Parliamen…

3 Apr 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has sought to persuade or influence the Electoral Reform Society or Electoral Reform Services Balloting against the Society's instruction to hold a postal referendum on the issue of section 2A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1986 and, if so, whether it will place in the …

Answer · Frank McAveety: I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1W-5903.

3 Apr 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what communication or discussion it has had with the Electoral Reform Society or Electoral Reform Service Balloting in connection with the proposed postal referendum on the issue of section 2A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1986.

Answer · Frank McAveety: The Scottish Executive made no representations to the Electoral Reform Society or Electoral Reform Service Balloting in connection with the proposed postal referendum on the issue of section 2A.

3 Apr 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what basis or programme it legislates on matters which were not set out in the election manifestos of its component parties or A Programme for Government.

Answer · Tom McCabe: While the legislative programme is informed by the Partnership for Scotland and the <I>Programme for Government</I>, the Executive brings forward proposals in the light of its ongoing assessment and review of its legislative priorities.

3 Apr 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail in what circumstances it believes referenda should be held.

Answer · Tom McCabe: Referendums have been used in the United Kingdom in connection with questions of constitutional change, such as membership of the EEC, the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly of Wales and the Greater London Assembly. They are not a reg…

3 Apr 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it first set out its policy intention to repeal section 2A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1986; in what forum or publication did it set its policy intention out, and whether there are any implications in constitutional law of how, when and where it set out its policy.

Answer · Frank McAveety: Jackie Baillie, Deputy Minister for Communities, set out the policy position on repeal of section 2A to the Equal Opportunities Committee on 28 September 1999 and the Executive subsequently set out its case for the repeal in the consultation paper <I>Standard…

3 Apr 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on the basis of what mandate it proposes to repeal section 2A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1986.

Answer · Frank McAveety: Repeal of section 2A has been longstanding policy of both Labour and Liberal Democrat parties.

3 Apr 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide funding for training and guidance for general practitioners to assess and diagnose ill health caused by exposure to organophosphates.

Answer · Susan Deacon: General practitioners, like other professionals, are encouraged to look at their own personal learning needs and the health needs of their patients and to seek training in specific areas. Guidance and assistance is available from the Scottish Council for Post…

31 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has in relation to the Black Cuillins on the Isle of Skye and whether it will (a) obtain a copy of the title deeds of the Black Cuillins, (b) instruct the District Valuer to carry out an assessment of the value of the Black Cuillins and (c) make representations to the owners…

Answer · Angus MacKay: I refer the member to the Executive's position on the Cuillins sale, which I set out in the debate held on 11 May. Since that time the Crown Estate have investigated title to the Cuillin Estate and concluded that they have no claim to title.

30 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will instruct the Macaulay Land Use Institute to conduct a thorough investigation into the social, economic and environmental significance of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill for remote communities and specifically for Stratherrick and Lochaber.

Answer · Ross Finnie: No. The lead Committee considering the details of the proposed Bill can commission any further research it feels is necessary.

30 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider locating the Scottish University for Industry in Inverness and, if so, whether it could be linked with the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Answer · Henry McLeish: I announced to Parliament on 13 April that Europa Building, in Glasgow's Argyle Street, has been chosen as the location for the Scottish UfI's headquarters. Scottish UfI Ltd, which expects to recruit around 25 staff in all, is likely to occupy the building fr…

30 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will discuss with the Scottish Tourist Board its appointment of a Parliamentary Liaison Officer and whether the salary costs of the post would be better spent on marketing activities.

Answer · Henry McLeish: No. This is an operational matter for the Scottish Tourist Board.

30 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the impact of any shortfall in money available under Objective 3 upon voluntary organisations in Scotland.

Answer · Jack McConnell: The resources remaining to be distributed to voluntary organisations under the previous Objective 3 programme will be paid in accordance with the usual procedures. The resources to be allocated to voluntary organisations under the new Objective 3 programme wi…

30 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Finance met Angela Morgan of the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) in October 1999; whether the Minister was informed at that meeting that SAMH would, unless interim funding arrangements were put in place to bridge the gap between the end of existing E…

Answer · Jack McConnell: Interim funding arrangements were put in place by extending the previous European Social Fund programmes. I have now issued a guarantee for voluntary organisations sponsoring European Social Fund projects in relation to the remaining funding gap before the i…

30 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any representations from the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, CoSLA or the Association of Scottish Colleges expressing concern that no interim funding arrangements have been put in place between the end of existing European Social Fund programmes and t…

Answer · Jack McConnell: Yes, I have responded to those representations by announcing to the European Committee that I proposed to put in place a guarantee in relation to the funding gap for a number of voluntary organisations sponsoring European Social Fund projects. I have asked of…

30 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the Caithness and Sutherland Trout Angling Group Brown Trout Angling Survey 1999; whether it will include the development of special fishing holiday deals and packages as an additional niche market in its tourism strategy, and whether it will consult with all releva…

Answer · Henry McLeish: Angling is an important aspect of the tourism sector and all ATBs should be aware of the opportunities. The Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board are partners in the Caithness and Sutherland Angling Group.

30 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding will be made available to the Highlands and Islands Integrated Transport Forum to commission a study to assess the economic impact on their communities of weight restrictions on roads and bridges and whether these restrictions are due to the level of investment in local ro…

Answer · Sarah Boyack: It is for the Highlands and Islands Integrated Transport Forum to consider whether or not to fund such a study from the resources available to it. As local roads authorities it is for the individual councils concerned to decide what priority should be given t…

29 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of any effect the aggregates tax will have on the capital and revenue budgets for the roads programme for each of the next three years and whether it will detail any amounts involved.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The aggregates tax announced in the budget comes into effect in April 2002. The capital and revenue budgets already announced for the Motorway and Trunk Roads programme until 31 March 2002 are not affected. Budgets for later years will be announced after the …

29 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of any impact which the aggregates tax will have upon employment in Scotland over each of the next three years.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The aggregates tax is unlikely to have any impact over the next two years, as it will not be introduced until April 2002. Thereafter, there may be small reductions in employment in the extraction of primary aggregates, but there could also be increases in emp…

29 Mar 2000 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce a rebate or relief scheme this year for those on low incomes who are liable for water charges.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The arrangements linking water and sewerage charges to council tax bands already provide substantial assistance to many less well-off households. The Executive is considering whether it is possible to improve on the protection provided by these arrangements. …

24 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what share of the #280 million additional funding on roads recently announced by the Secretary of State for Transport, Environment and the Regions will accrue to Scotland.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive intend to allocate £15.9 million of additional funding to transport. This reflects a Barnett share of the comparable expenditure. This £280 million investment will provide a massive boost to the UK transport infrastructure, improving tr…

23 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will bring forward an amending order to the draft Scotland Act 1998 (Cross-Border Public Authorities) (Adaptation of Functions etc) Order 2000 providing that any person whose appointment as a member of the National Heritage Memorial Fund is on the ground of a connection with Sc…

Answer · Sam Galbraith: The Scottish Executive and the United Kingdom Government have no plans to bring forward any such amending order.

23 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the case for European transitional funding to be used to upgrade the Drynie Hill section of the A861 from Kinlochmoidart to Carnoch and whether it will make a statement explaining its position.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The improvement of this section of the A861 is entirely a matter for Highland Council as the local roads authority. As regards the use of European transitional funding, the special programme for the Highlands and Islands is currently being considered by the E…

23 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has the powers to allow Initiative At the Edge funding to be used to effect the improvements and upgrading required to the Drynie Hill Section of the A861 from Kinlochmoidart to Carnoch.

Answer · Alasdair Morrison: The maintenance and improvement of local roads such as the Drynie Hill section of the A861 from Kinlochmoidart to Carnoch is the responsibility of Highland Council as the local roads authority. The Council is a key partner in the Initiative at the Edge and th…

23 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has power to regulate companies which buy and sell Internet addresses and, if not, whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government requesting that stricter regulation of such companies be introduced in order to ensure that potential Scottish business users of t…

Answer · Henry McLeish: Where the courts in this country have jurisdiction, Scottish owners of trade marks and other names can pursue legal remedies against deliberate, bad faith and abusive registrations in the same way as if the dispute were "offline". Registrations in global doma…

22 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate was contained in the Puma Edinburgh Marathon Race Director's Report of the "growth potential", showing this for each of the years 1999 to 2002 and setting out the number of entrants estimated as participating in each year, the expenditure generated by the runners and their s…

Answer · Rhona Brankin: While the economic evaluation of the 1999 event does demonstrate potential for growth, this is dependent on significant increases in the number of competitors and supporters. At the time the decision not to hold the event in 2000 was taken, there had been few…

22 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will, as a matter of urgency, consult with all the partnership bodies involved in the Puma Edinburgh Marathon 1999 in order to seek to reverse the decision taken to cancel this year's race.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: No. This is a matter for the organisers and sponsors concerned.

22 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has submitted or intends to submit a response to the consultation document issued by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFFGEM) on future electricity wholesale trading arrangements in Scotland and whether any such response indicated or will indicate support or oppositio…

Answer · Henry McLeish: Although electricity regulation is a reserved matter, the Executive has always kept in close touch with electricity suppliers in Scotland and with the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM) as the structure of the energy market responds to changes in t…

22 Mar 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much money was (a) sought by and (b) awarded to each hospital under the capital modernisation fund, broken down by individual projects and, in particular, whether Raigmore Hospital sought funding of approximately #1.5 million for modernisation of its accident and emergency department …

Answer · Susan Deacon: Bids for the modernisation of accident and emergency services from the Capital Modernisation Fund were submitted by NHS Trusts or health boards rather than individual hospitals. This was a very specific exercise and there were more bids than could be accommod…