Parliamentary questions

Jamie McGrigor

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

27 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many empty homes there are in Scotland and what action it is taking to reduce this number and encourage such homes to be brought back into use.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: It is not currently possible to separately identify empty houses. However, according to 2006 council tax data, 101,445 properties in Scotland were classed as vacant dwellings or second homes. This figure includes all vacant dwellings in the social rented and …

25 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to extend the Rural Empty Properties Grant scheme.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: In our discussion document Firm Foundations: The future of Housing in Scotland, the Scottish Government sets out our vision to reform the housing system in Scotland to deliver more housing at a better value for public money. This in…

25 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many properties have benefited from the Rural Empty Properties Grant scheme since its inception, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The following table details how many properties have benefited from the Rural Empty Properties Grant (REPG) scheme since its inception, broken down by local authority area. REPG Approvals from Start of Scheme <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellp…

17 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recognises that island local authorities, such as Orkney Islands Council, have particular difficulties in delivering services across numerous islands.

Answer · John Swinney: Local authorities with island communities receive additional provision through the Special Islands Needs Allowance (SINA) within the local government funding distribution formula. Orkney Islands Council will receive an additional £5.8 million through SINA in …

17 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers Orkney Islands Council to be underfunded in comparison with other local authorities.

Answer · John Swinney: The distribution of funding to local authorities is through a needs-based formula, which is agreed with COSLA. This formula takes into account Orkney Islands Council''s need to provide services to its island communities which is recognised through the inclusi…

17 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with (a) Orkney Islands Council and (b) COSLA regarding concerns about underfunding of Orkney Islands Council.

Answer · John Swinney: I met a delegation from Orkney Islands Council on 28 February 2008. Among the matters discussed was the additional £1 million in funding which we have now included as part of the council''s overall grant, to support the costs of internal ferry services. …

12 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the road equivalent tariff (RET) pilot scheme will consider whether RET will have a positive or negative effect on current and potential competition on ferry routes.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The examination and assessment of the impact of introduction of the road equivalent tariff approach is the principal reason why we are carrying out a pilot. While the desk-based study has been very informative only a live pilot can determine what the impact o…

12 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the additional subsidy payments specifically associated with road equivalent tariff discounts are payable to other ferry operators if they operate in competition with CalMac’s routes.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The road equivalent tariff (RET) pilot study focuses on routes subsidised by the Scottish Government. In developing proposals for the possible roll out of RET across the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles networks consideration will be given to ferry servi…

12 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on whether the European Commission considers that the road equivalent tariff pilot scheme conforms to all the regulations contained in the European state aid and maritime cabotage legislation.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10914 on 25 March 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/webapp/…

12 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the European Commission about the road equivalent tariff pilot scheme.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: To date the Scottish Government has had no discussions with the European Commission about the road equivalent tariff (RET) study. However, we will provide the European Commission with information on the pilot study once details have been finalised.

11 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the £16 million of improvement schemes identified in the A82 Tarbet to Fort William Route Action Plan of February 2006, namely Pulpit Rock, the Crianlarich bypass and the online improvements at Inveruglas and south of Inverarnan, are still on schedule to be constructed by 2012.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is progressing with the improvement work at Pulpit Rock and a bypass of Crianlarich which subject to the completion of statutory procedures, remain on course to be delivered within the current programme to 2012. Feasibility studie…

7 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how discounted fares purchased from CalMac offices now compare with fares being charged under the road equivalent tariff pilot scheme.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The road equivalent tariff (RET) fares recommended by the RET study consultants on the pilot routes are set out below. The two tables are based on comparisons with the single equivalent for passengers and cars of a 2008 summer five day open return ticket and …

6 Mar 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the decision was reached as to which routes were included in the road equivalent tariff ferry pilot scheme announced by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change on 26 February 2008.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government is delivering on a manifesto commitment to carry out a study into Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) with a pilot on the Western Isles to mainland routes. Mr Swinney announced details of the RET study during his visit to Stornoway on 13 Aug…

5 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of scientific evidence relating to the importance of peatland as a carbon store, it will revise its policy with regard to the siting of wind farms in peatland areas.

Answer · Jim Mather: Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 6 “ Renewable Energy contains policy on designing wind farms to minimise soil disturbance, including peat. There are no plans to revise the policy.

5 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what organisations and causes are able to access funds that are distributed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has powers under the Environment Act 1995 to carry out research and related activities into matters relevant to its functions. SEPA may use its resources to procure these services from other organisations or i…

5 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what new powers it has recently given, or expects to give, to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The powers and functions of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) were established by the Environment Act 1995. Other subsequent legislation has given SEPA additional powers or functions to regulate activities with an impact on the environment in …

5 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recognises the Scottish Environment Protection Agency as a fund-providing body.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10701 on 19 March 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…

29 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on the STAG appraisal on ferry services for Lismore in Argyll.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: In December 2006, the previous administration announced its intention to commission a STAG appraisal on ferry services to Lismore once the tendering of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services was completed. I am currently reviewing the options for the future of…

27 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the road equivalent tariff pilot scheme, announced by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change on 26 February 2008, will end.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: As announced during my visit to Stornoway on 26 February 2008 the road equivalent tariff pilot study will commence on 19 October 2008 and will run until spring 2011. The pilot will be monitored continuously to identify and evaluate impacts of the new…

27 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of the road equivalent tariff pilot scheme announced by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change on 26 February 2008.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The budget allocation for the road equivalent tariff (RET) study and pilot in years (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2009-10 is £5 million, £7.5 million and £10 million respectively. The consultant's current estimate of the cost of the pilot exercis…

14 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Emergency Medical Retrieval Service will be rolled out across the whole of Scotland if pilot projects are successful.

Answer · Shona Robison: The pilot Emergency Medical Retrieval Service (EMRS) to support emergency health care in remote and rural Scotland will begin 1 June 2008. The pilot will run for 18 months along the West Coast of Scotland and will be accompanied by rigorous evaluation. The fi…

14 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what benefits patients in remote and rural areas can hope to gain from the Emergency Medical Retrieval Service.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Emergency Medical Retrieval Service (EMRS) exists to provide consultant based on site resuscitation and safe transfer for patients with life threatening injuries and illness in remote and rural hospitals. Patients can expect quicker, safer and m…

14 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides to NHS boards piloting Emergency Medical Retrieval Service provision and which NHS boards are undertaking work in this area.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government has underwritten the full cost of the pilot projects for the Emergency Medical Retrieval Service. The area covered includes five health boards: Highland, Western Isles, Ayrshire and Arran, Dumfries and Galloway and remote are…

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of numbers of capercaillie (a) in each year since 1999 and (b) by area.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish population of capercaillie is estimated every six years as part of the Statutory Conservation Agencies and RSPB Annual Breeding Bird Scheme programme (SCARABBS). In 1998-99, the population was estimated at 1,073 individuals. In 2003-04, the popul…

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the funding and projects, including the LIFE project, to protect capercaillie in each year since 1999.

Answer · Michael Russell: The table below provides information for projects on which we have data: <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td width=232 valign=top > Project </td> <td width=85 valign=top > <p align=ce…

22 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether local connection is to be removed as a criterion for social housing allocation; whether it considers that this will cause concern in communities and, if so, whether it will reconsider its position on this matter.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Local connection isnot a statutory criterion for social housing allocation in Scotland. Social landlords are required by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 to admit anyone over 16 to their housing listwho lives in their area or has one of a list of reasons for w…

22 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why priority need for housing assessment is to be phased out by 2012 and how it will deliver on this commitment.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003 contains a target to abolish the current distinction between homeless households assessed as having a priority need foraccommodation and other homeless households by 2012. Achievement of the2012 target is included as a…

11 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the interests of independent pier and harbour trusts are properly protected if the administration of pier and harbour grants is transferred to local authorities.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the questionS3W-8377 on 21 January 2008. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the searchfacility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search">ht…

11 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why it has decided that the arrangements for the administration of pier and harbour grants should be transferred to local authorities.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: As part of the local governmentsettlement for the years 2008-09 to 2010-11, we have removed the ring fencing ona number of funding streams, including piers and harbours grant, to allow localauthorities greater flexibility in determining their own local spendi…

11 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to concerns that planned new arrangements for pier and harbour grants will mean that the local authorities involved will prioritise their own piers and harbours at the expense of independent piers and harbours.