Parliamentary questions
Jamie McGrigor
1,122 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
30 Aug 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the reduction of full-time equivalent posts will be as a result of the merger of the Deer Commission for Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: There has been a reduction of two permanent full-time equivalent posts as a result of the merger of Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Both posts were within the former DCS. In one case the individual concerned took volunt…
30 Aug 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what cost savings will be achieved in each of the next three years as a result of the merger of the Deer Commission for Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The estimated breakdown of cost savings as a result of the merger of the Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is set out in the Financial Memorandum to the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 which is available at: </p…
2 Aug 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Natural Heritage, in assuming the powers of the Deer Commission for Scotland, will have a statutory responsibility to conserve the number of sika deer.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-35553 on 25 August 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliamen…
2 Aug 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) sika deer and (b) red-sika hybrids were present in Scotland (i) 15 years ago and (ii) in the last year for which figures are available.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government does not hold data recording the number of sika or sika hybrids in Scotland.</p> <p >The most recent studies show little change in the composition of hybridising populations over a 15 year timescale. Ongoing research by the Universit…
2 Aug 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether its aim is to (a) exterminate, (b) reduce, (c) retain the current level of or (d) increase the current level of the sika deer population.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Natural Heritage has a duty under Section 1(1)(a)of the Deer (Scotland) Act<i> </i>1996, as amended by the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, to further the conservation, control and sustainable management of deer. The 1996 act applies to re…
2 Aug 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many sika deer have been culled in each of the last five years in order to reduce hybridisation with native red deer.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government does not hold any comprehensive data on the purpose for which deer are culled. Total numbers of sika deer culled as reported to the Deer Commission for Scotland for the last five years are:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpaddi…
2 Aug 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to protect red deer on the mainland from hybridisation with sika deer.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 deliberately or accidentally to release sika deer or their hybrids into the wild.</p> <p >Sika deer are sufficiently well established in many parts of Scotland such that their eradication would be…
2 Aug 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average life expectancy is for a child in Scotland undergoing conventional treatments for osteosarcoma.
Answer · Shona Robison: It is not possible to generate an estimate of life expectancy for children undergoing conventional treatments for osteosarcoma in Scotland. A measurable indicator of outcome is the percentage of children diagnosed with osteosarcoma who remain alive 10 years a…
2 Aug 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of patient access to ultra-orphan treatments for rare forms of cancer.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS boards in Scotland are responsible for the planning and provision of NHS services in accordance with national and local priorities and in line with the health needs of the population. Decisions regarding the care of individual patients are a matter of pro…
2 Aug 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to ensure that GPs are suitably equipped to (a) diagnose and (b) speedily refer patients with rare forms of cancer.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Better Cancer Care recognised that early detection of cancer is crucial to increase the chance of a positive outcome for the patient. Through the Scottish Cancer Taskforce, the Scottish Government is working to improve awareness of possible symptoms of all ca…
21 Jul 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the most recent figures are on the proportion of (a) primary and (b) secondary schools with no men on the teaching staff
Answer · Michael Russell: In the September 2009 teacher census 35 per cent of publicly funded primary schools, accounting for 25 per cent of pupils, have no men on the teaching staff. This represents a reduction since 2008 in the proportion of primary schools that do not have men amon…
21 Jul 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the ongoing commitment by the Training and Development Agency for Schools to increase the number of under-represented groups, including men, to become teachers in schools in England
Answer · Michael Russell: We understand that the latest recruitment figures in England indicate a modest increase in the proportion of men amongst applicants to courses of initial teacher training. However, it is not clear whether this is directly related to actions taken by the Train…
21 Jul 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-25975 by Fiona Hyslop on 13 August 2009, what further steps it is considering to attract more men into primary and secondary school teaching
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government continues to promote teaching at careers fairs and takes any opportunities that arise at such events to actively encourage men to consider teaching as a career. However, in the current situation of teacher over‘supply we consider that …
21 Jul 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it responds to any evidence that suggests that the absence of male teachers and role models in schools can have a detrimental effect on the education of a child
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government is aware of the range of evidence about the importance of a male role model in a child''s education. However, it believes that the focus should be on attracting the highest quality and best motivated people into teaching irrespective o…
21 Jul 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-25977 by Fiona Hyslop on 13 August 2009, whether further research has been conducted into why there are fewer male, compared with female, primary school teachers in Scotland and, if so, what the conclusions have been.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government has not commissioned any further research into why there are fewer male, compared with female, primary school teachers in Scotland.</p>
17 Jun 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to any concerns, including in the tourism sector, regarding the potential impact on businesses of any developments of offshore windfarms that will be visible from Machrihanish and Kintyre.
Answer · Jim Mather: In determining applications for offshore wind farms, Scottish ministers will give careful consideration to all material factors, including effects on tourism and local businesses. Scottish ministers will undertake a thorough consultation process as per due pr…
17 Jun 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the community buyout of the former RAF base at Machrihanish by the Machrihanish Airbase Community Company.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: In February, Scottish Ministers approved a late application by Machrihanish Airbase Community Company (MACC) to register an interest in land on land that includes the ex-RAF Machrihanish Airbase using the community right to buy provisions of the Land Reform (…
17 Jun 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving or plans to give to the Machrihanish Airbase Community Company as it seeks to purchase the former RAF base at Machrihanish.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has and continues to work closely with the Machrihanish Airbase Community Company (MACC) in order to provide impartial advice on the community right to buy provisions of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. The act has enabled MACC to …
4 Jun 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which directive takes precedence when there is an overlap between the EU marine strategy and water framework directives in relation to coastal waters.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Article 3(1)(b) of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive sets out that it only applies to coastal waters in so far as particular aspects of their environmental status are not already addressed by the Water Framework Directive or other European legislation. …
2 Jun 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the anticipated average fuel usage is per operational hour of the CalMac Ferries Ltd ferry, MV Finlaggan.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Currently it is not possible to give average fuel usage per operation for this vessel as the relevant timetable set out the Scottish Government''s contract with CalMac is under discussion and still to be finalised.</p> <p >Average fuel usage will depend on …
2 Jun 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what strategies have been introduced to reduce fuel burn and emissions across the CalMac, Cowal and Northlink Ferries Ltd fleets and how successful these strategies have been.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: CalMac Ferries Ltd</p> <p >CalMac Ferries Ltd has commissioned a carbon footprint study to identify options to reduce carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) emissions from its operations.</p> <p >The objectives of this project were to:</p> <p >1. Calculate a c…
2 Jun 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what annual quantity of fuel has been used by (a) Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, (b) CalMac Ferries Ltd and (c) NorthLink Ferries Ltd in the last five years, broken down by fuel type.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Under the public service contracts concluded with the Scottish Government in July 2006 (Northlink) and September 2007 (CalMac), the operators are responsible for managing the consumption of fuel required to meet the prescribed timetables. Detail of this infor…
2 Jun 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average fuel usage per operational hour is for each vessel owned or operated by (a) Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, (b) CalMac Ferries Ltd and (c) NorthLink Ferries Ltd.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: CalMac Ferries Ltd</p> <p >The CalMac vessels operate the contracted passenger, car and freight services for the Hebrides and Clyde.</p> <p >The contracted timetable requires the vessels to operate at a range of differing speeds and varying weather condit…
14 May 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are provisions in the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 that would allow for the ban on the sale of alcohol in off-sales premises before 10.00 am to be lifted and, if so, what its reasons are for not using such provisions.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Section 65(3) of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 requires a licensing board to refuse an application if the off-sales hours proposed in the application are such that alcohol would be sold for consumption off the premises before 10 am, after 10 pm, or both. …
14 May 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of its housing budget in 2010-11 will be apportioned to the Highlands and Islands region.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Affordable Housing Investment Programme for 2010-11 was announced by the Minister for Housing and Communities on 25 March 2010. The information is available on the Scottish Government''s website at: </p> <p ><a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Bui…
14 May 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will address the fact that demand for affordable housing in the Highlands and Islands is exceeding supply.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government, by the end of this year, will have invested over £129 million, since April 2008, through the Affordable Housing Investment Programme in the Highlands and Islands. This investment will have provided over 1,500 homes to the area. We rec…
14 May 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the £82 million extra that it has been allocated by the UK Government this year will be spent on building new affordable housing or supporting new housing programmes.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth announced, as part of the Spring Budget revision, that £31 million would be awarded from the consequential monies to meet housing need and accelerate and sustain investment in affordable housing across …
28 Apr 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to improve the care of patients with osteosarcoma.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: A national Musculoskeletal Surgical Sarcoma Service was established in 2001 and a Scottish Bone and Soft Tissue managed clinical network (MCN) was established in 2004. Both the national service and the MCN help to link groups of health professionals and organ…
2 Mar 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail all costs associated with its sponsorship of the Scottish Cup for the (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10 football seasons.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government does not sponsor the Scottish Cup. </p> <p >In 2008, Mr Willie Haughey of City Refrigeration Holdings, arranged with the Scottish Football Association (SFA), to sponsor the Scottish Cup for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 football seasons. Mr…
1 Mar 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what works it is undertaking to upgrade the trunk road network over the next five years and what the (a) cost and (b) estimated completion date is of each project.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the Motorway and Trunk Road programme document which can be found on the Transport Scotland website at: </p> <p ><a href="http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/motorway-and-trunk-road-programme">http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/ro…