Parliamentary questions

Jamie McGrigor

1,122 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

11 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by the UK case control study to estimate the risk of tail injury to dogs, to which the Scottish Government has contributed funding.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: At September 2008, 30 veterinary practices had been recruited to participate in the research study by the Royal Veterinary College and the University of Bristol Veterinary School, investigating risk factors for tail injuries for dogs in the UK. Of these pract…

5 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made towards achieving a fixed link, or other permanent transport solution, for the island of Luing.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Responsibility and funding for a new fixed link or an improved ferry service to Luing rests with Argyll and Bute Council. The Scottish Government would welcome early progress in taking improvements forward and has already made a £1.6 million funding contribut…

5 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with representatives of Argyll and Bute Council and other local stakeholders about the desire of the Luing community to secure a fixed link for the island.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Responsibility and funding for a new fixed link or an improved ferry service to Luing rests with Argyll and Bute Council. The Scottish Government would welcome progress and has encouraged an early solution through discussions with FLAG, a representative grou…

28 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it can provide to the local economy of Campbeltown and Kintyre to ensure that it benefits as much as possible from the sale of the Ministry of Defence’s Machrihanish base in Argyll.

Answer · Jim Mather: Officials will work with MOD Defence Estates over the coming months to explore how Defence Estates can take forward the disposal of its Machrihanish base in a way that balances environmental concerns, maintains lifeline transport links and maximises the econo…

28 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the Ministry of Defence's decision to sell its base at Machrihanish in Argyll, what input the Scottish Government will have in this process to maximise any benefits to the people and the economy of Campbeltown and Kintyre.

28 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Argyll and Bute Council and Highland and Islands Enterprise about the MOD's decision to sell its base at Machrihanish in Argyll and the opportunities for future use of the site.

Answer · Jim Mather: Officials from the Scottish Executive, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Argyll and Bute Council met with officials from the MOD''s Defence Estates on 27 October 2008 to discuss Defence Estates'' disposal of the Machrihanish base. This officials group wil…

24 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to concerns among deer farmers at the delay in achieving a mechanism that would allow them to access support under the single farm payment scheme.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I understand deer farmers'' concerns and the government is considering the issue. It is imperative that we examine the full implications, including the legal constraints contained in the relevant EU legislation, before taking a decision.

24 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-17027 by Richard Lochhead on 23 October 2008, whether it considers that, by including only deer farmers producing deer for the farmed market, it would be possible to devise a mechanism to support deer farmers through the single farm payment scheme th…

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Farmers currently farming deer are not excluded from the Single Farm Payment scheme. But, deer farming was not among the activities which gave rise to entitlements under the scheme when it was set up. In considering this issue, the Scottish Government will ne…

22 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to upgrade the A83 between Tarbert and Ardrishaig.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There are currently no plans to upgrade the A83 between Tarbert and Ardrishaig. However, Transport Scotland''s Strategic Transport Projects Review is examining the longer term needs of Scotland''s nationally strategic transport network. This includes conside…

15 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that action to tackle the illegal tobacco trade is more important than proposals to restrict tobacco displays in shops.

Answer · Shona Robison: As I made clear in my statement to the Scottish Parliament on 21 May 2008 to launch the Smoking Prevention Action Plan, Scotland''s Future is Smoke-free, the Scottish Government believes that a comprehensive and co-ordinated programme of mea…

15 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to concerns that its proposals to restrict tobacco displays will lead to a loss of business for small shops in favour of supermarkets.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is currently developing a full Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) which will examine the impact on business of the proposed legislative action. There is no reason to believe that restrictions on displays, which would apply to shops of …

15 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to concerns that its proposals to restrict tobacco displays will impact on the future economic viability of some responsible small retailers, including specialist tobacconists.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is currently developing a full Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) which will examine in detail the risks and benefits of the proposed legislative action. Retailers have been given the opportunity to feed into the RIA. We are, of course…

15 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to concerns that its proposals to restrict tobacco displays will lead to an increase in contraband and imitation products.

Answer · Shona Robison: We are not aware of any evidence to suggest that restrictions on the display of tobacco displays will lead to an increase in illicit tobacco products. However, the Scottish Government recognises that smuggled or counterfeit tobacco products constitute a serio…

14 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to establish a more diverse vocational curriculum for male and female students, with a view to higher rates of male and female school leavers entering higher education, further education, employment, voluntary work or training.

Answer · Maureen Watt: Curriculum for Excellence will offer better outcomes for all young people in Scotland, regardless of their gender, by providing a coherent, more flexible and enriched curriculum from three to 18, which is firmly focused on the needs of the child and young per…

14 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to secure a more balanced gender ratio in the education sector by exposing male pupils to relevant educational role models during their formative years, thus promoting a higher rate of male school leavers entering higher and further education.

Answer · Maureen Watt : A new teacher recruitment campaign will be launched in the new year which will deliberately target males in an attempt to encourage them to consider primary teaching as a career. The campaign will also continue to promote the teaching profession to pupils and…

14 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of evidence of (a) a higher proportion of female than male school leavers entering higher and further education and (b) a higher proportion of male than female school leavers being unemployed, what plans it has to improve the quality of careers advice in schools to address this …

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Curriculum for Excellence will offer better outcomes for all young people in Scotland, regardless of their gender, by providing a coherent, more flexible and enriched curriculum from three to 18 firmly focused on the needs of children and young people. <…

8 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the early identification of patients at the highest risk of developing diabetes and treatment to prevent diabetes in these patients have the potential to save the NHS money.

Answer · Shona Robison: We recognise the significant value of investing in anticipatory care. Better Health, Better Care commits the Scottish Government to developing programmes such as Keep Well and Well North. Both are targeted at those individuals at high …

8 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that testing for insulin levels has the potential to identify early those patients at the highest risk of developing diabetes, allowing interventions that would help prevent the onset of diabetes.

Answer · Shona Robison: The optimal test for the early identification of diabetes remains uncertain. Insulin is not a reliable indicator, however. People with type 2 diabetes have insulin resistance, which means they may have raised glucose levels in spite of having insulin levels w…

8 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce testing for insulin levels that would identify a pre-diabetic state in patients.

Answer · Shona Robison: A pre-diabetic state is defined as impaired fasting glucose, or impaired glucose tolerance, and can be diagnosed from an analysis of a patient''s glucose levels using either a glucose tolerance test or a fasting glucose test. Insulin testing is not appropriat…

8 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the concerns of residents of the Isle of Kerrera that their ferry service will not be considered as part of the Scottish Government’s review of ferry services.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government''s review of ferry services will cover all ferry services in Scotland serving remote and peripheral communities and will include the Isle of Kerrera. The operator of the Isle of Kerrera ferry service has been invited to participate in …

8 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support is available for the establishment of new slaughterhouses.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Support is available through the Food Processing Marketing and Co-operation Grant Scheme towards the construction of new facilities, the upgrading of existing facilities, and the purchase of plant and equipment.

8 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support is available for small slaughterhouses, including those on islands, that are experiencing challenging economic conditions.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Support is available directly though the Food Processing Marketing and Co-operation Grant Scheme towards the construction of new facilities, the upgrading of existing facilities, and the purchase of plant and equipment. Support can also be available through t…

6 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to operators of Scottish airports about the desire of the aquaculture sector for an airport in Scotland with facilities to handle live fish under the Border Inspection Post (BIP) system.

Answer · Michael Russell: It may be that a Scottish airport could be persuaded to seek BIP status if it was satisfied that the likely volume of trade justified the cost of providing the necessary facilities. If the Scottish aquaculture industry trade organisations can build such a cas…

2 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the process is for piers to be removed from local authority control and to consider other ownership options such as community ownership and what support is available for taking such options forward.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: It would be for the relevant local community representatives to seek their own legal advice about the process that would be required for them to acquire ownership of a particular pier. If local community representatives were to pursue ownership of a particula…

2 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that Uig pier is a lifeline transport link for the Uist community

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government recognises that Uig Pier is an important lifeline transport link, supporting lifeline ferry services operated by CalMac Ferries Ltd to Tarbert on Harris and Lochmaddy on North Uist.

2 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it can provide towards the upgrading of Uig pier

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government has no plans to provide financial support for the upgrading of Uig Pier. As part of the local government settlement for the years 2008-09 to 2010-11, the Scottish Executive removed the ring-fencing on a number of funding streams, inclu…

2 Oct 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Highland Council and other stakeholders about the wish of the local community that Uig pier be upgraded.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: No such discussions between Scottish Government officials and Highland Council and other stakeholders have taken place.

25 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish Football Association about how schools and parents can encourage children to become involved in youth football.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Youth Football Action Plan implementation steering group, which includes the Scottish Football Association, sportscotland, the Scottish Government, affiliated national football bodies and a representative from local authorities, meet regularly to discuss …

25 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage an increase in participation in youth football.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-16590 on 8 October 2008. 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/webap…

25 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to open the single farm payment scheme to new entrants and how much it estimates this would cost.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Helping new entrants to farming is a priority for the Scottish Government and in our consultation Future Implementation of the Common Agriculture Policy in Scotland we sought views on using the national reserve to give new entrants access to single fa…