Parliamentary questions
Jamie McGrigor
1,122 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
10 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what grants are available for replanting felled woodlands and whether it recognises concerns expressed that an appropriate grant system has not yet been put in place.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Forestry Grant Schemeand the Woodland Grant Scheme continue to provide support for replanting but onlywhere the funding commitment was made prior to 31 December 2007 when the previousScotland Rural Development Plan (SRDP) closed.</p><p>At the pre…
10 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why applications for grants to regional project assessment committees have to be made online; how it expects potential applicants who do not have access to the internet to make such applications, and how it will respond to the concerns of those applicants.
Answer · Michael Russell: It is important to recognisethat it is only applications for the new competitive Rural DevelopmentContracts – Rural Priorities (RDC RPs) which will be on-line. Hard copyapplication processes are being used for all the other funding streams (seven)in the Scotl…
10 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will respond to concerns that grant applications to regional project assessment committees will be unnecessarily bureaucratic and how it will reduce red tape in this process.
Answer · Michael Russell: The use of Regional Project Assessment Committees is nota new process, having been successfully used to administer the Farm Business DiversificationScheme previously operated by the Scottish Executive. Other significant changesbeing implemented to deliver the…
10 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that forestry interests, including the interests of private forest owners, are properly represented on regional project assessment committees.
Answer · Michael Russell: Forall 11 Regional Proposal Assessment Committee areas there is an on-goingprocess of consultation on the development of the list of Regional Prioritiesinvolving the full range of stakeholder interests represented in rural Scotland. Representatives coveringfo…
3 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made towards removing the temporary traffic light on the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful and whether it has committed extra expenditure to ensure that this removal can take place as quickly as possible.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: A detailed topographical surveyboth above and below the road has been undertaken and this will be followed by detailedground condition investigations. This work is essential to allow the design of thepermanent measures to fully stabilise this section of road,…
3 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the engineering works undertaken following the landslip on the A83 at the end of October 2007.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Remedial works, which includedthe placement of 200 tons of rock on the roadside embankment, have temporarily stabilisedthe road. Unstable material was removed from the landslip area above the road. Safetybarriers have been erected and temporary traffic signal…
21 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it secured an additional 28 days fishing in this year’s EU fisheries deal to replace the 28 days which were deducted under the 2006 EU fisheries agreement from the number of days that west coast prawn fishing boats could spend at sea under the derogation.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: As I explained to Parliamenton 17 January, the Commission did not agree at the December Council to grant anadditional 28 days to the derogated west coast prawn fishing fleet. My officialspursued this matter with the Commission throughout the negotiations. Dur…
21 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the recent European fisheries summit has benefited the west coast prawn fishery.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The deal which I negotiated atthe December Fisheries Council benefited the west coast nephrops fishery in a numberof ways. In particular on days at sea not only was the headline cut for much of the fleet reduced from 25% to 10% but I negotiated the possibilit…
19 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the NHS can access colloidal silver for use as an antibiotic.
Answer · Shona Robison: Licensing of medicines is reservedand is the responsibility of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency(MHRA). The MHRA has advised that colloidal silver is not licensed for use in theUKas an antibiotic for the treatment of MRSA.</p><p>Medicine…
19 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the use of colloidal silver as an antibiotic, particularly its use in tackling MRSA.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government has madeno assessment of the use of colloidal silver as an antibiotic, particularly itsuse in tackling MRSA.</p><p>Licensing of medicines is reservedand is the responsibility of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency(M…
18 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to amend the Scottish Outdoor Access Code so that livestock farmers are given more rights to prevent members of the public accessing their land when the land is occupied by livestock.
Answer · Michael Russell: There are no plans currentlyto amend the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Scottish Natural Heritage is responsiblefor monitoring the operation of the code and for ensuring that all issues whichrequire consideration will be considered as and when a formal review …
18 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to any concerns expressed by the owners of rural businesses, especially livestock farmers, that their interests are not adequately protected in land reform legislation in respect of the right to roam and in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Land Reform (Scotland) Act2003 establishes the right of responsible access by members of the public. Representativesof rural businesses and land managers, including livestock farmers, were involvedin the development of the legislation and the Scottish Out…
17 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to warn members of the public about the dangers of walking in fields occupied by livestock.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-7961 on 18 January 2008. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code providesguidance on the possible dangers to members of the public of walking in fields occupiedby livestock. In addition Scottish Natural Heritage has d…
17 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to concerns that land reform legislation and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code are not clear enough in providing guidance to members of the public about their access rights in fields occupied by livestock and specifically about the dangers that might be faced when acce…
Answer · Michael Russell: I am satisfied that existingguidance on this matter is satisfactory and proportionate. The Scottish OutdoorAccess Code provides guidance on access to areas occupied by livestock and wasdeveloped in conjunction with land management bodies and the Health and Sa…
17 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to assess the operation and effectiveness of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Answer · Michael Russell: Scottish Natural Heritage(SNH) is supporting a programme of research to monitor the operation andeffectiveness of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. In addition, a recent reviewundertaken by external consultants to consider the effectiveness of currentpromotio…
6 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the extra costs of providing health services in remote and rural areas are fully considered in any decisions on the future funding of NHS boards.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Yes. I amcurrently considering the report of the NHSScotland Resource AllocationCommittee which makes recommendations for changes to the Arbuthnott formula forfunding allocations to NHS boards. I will give full consideration to all therepresentations that hav…
6 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to any concerns that the recommendations of the National Resource Allocation Committee do not recognise sufficiently the extra costs of providing health services in remote and rural areas.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I am currently consideringthe NHSScotland Resource Allocation Committee’s (NRAC) report and the views submittedto me by the Health and Sport Committee and by health boards. I have not yet madea decision on how to take NRAC’s recommendations forward.</p><p>How…
6 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to implement the recommendations of the National Resource Allocation Committee in respect of NHS board funding and, if so, when it will do this.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I am currently consideringthe NHSScotland Resource Allocation Committee’s report and the views submitted tome by the Health and Sport Committee and by health boards. I expect to make a decisionbased on the report, and all the comments I have received, early i…
5 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that farmers and crofters are represented on regional project assessment committees.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The membership of the Regional Proposal Assessment Committees (RPACs) is restricted to officials frompublic bodies, primarily Scottish Government’s Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate(SGRPID), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Forestry Commission (FCS),…
5 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what further measures it will introduce to support the sheep sector to help it to recover from the 2007 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: On 24 October, weannounced an aid package worth around £25 million in response to foot-and-mouthdisease. Most of the aid was directed at the sheep sector because it wasparticularly badly affected by the outbreak. There are currently no plans forfurther measur…
28 Nov 2007 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of NHS Highland and what issues were discussed.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I meet regularly withall NHS chairs to discuss matters of importance to health and the NHS in Scotland, most recently on 26 November 2007. The Minister for Public Health also met with the seniorteam of NHS Highland on 21 August when she chaired the board’s an…
15 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how local authorities can access the £200 million budget of European funds designated to boost cross-border links with Ireland and Northern Ireland which Scotland has been given approval to access.
Answer · Jim Mather: I refer themember to the answer to question S2W-6385 on 27 November 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can befound at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…
15 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive for what projects it will seek support from the £200 million budget of European funds designated to boost cross-border links with Ireland and Northern Ireland which Scotland has been given approval to access.
Answer · Jim Mather: We are delightedthat the Cross Border Co-operation Programme has been approved by the EuropeanCommission. The programme brings a welcome €192 million of EU investment to a€256 million programme for the cross border region, which includes parts of Western Scot…
15 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of Scotland having been given approval to access a £200 million budget of European funds in order to boost cross-border links with Ireland and Northern Ireland, whether the Executive will make efforts to secure funding from this source to re-establish the Campbeltown to Ballycas…
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish BudgetSpending Review 2007 which was announced on 14 November 2007 makes provision for subsidised ferry services in Scotland. I can confirm that an increase of £37 million in theferry services budget includes provision for a new service between C…
13 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to upgrade the A82 and whether any such plans will be brought forward in light of the closure of the A83.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The A82 Route ActionPlan announced in April 2006 outlined a 10 year improvement programme at an estimatedcost of £90 million which will be considered for future investment as part of theStrategic Transport Projects Review which is due to report to ministers i…
13 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what contingency plans it is making in the event of further landslides causing the closure of the A83.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland has held discussions with a broad range of authorities,including the emergency services, and will be considering a number of strategiesto minimise the effect of any future landslips on the A83.</p>
13 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of losses incurred by businesses in Argyll and Bute as a result of the closure of the A83.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: None.</p>
13 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the A83 will reopen as normal.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The A83 reopened totraffic at 1600hrs on Wednesday 14 November 2007, and traffic is restricted to singlefile for a short distance under the control of temporary traffic lights. The trafficlights will remain in place until further investigations and measures a…
12 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why it is proposed that fruit and vegetable farmers might be included in future in single farm payment support through top slicing of existing single farm payments but deer farmers might be included only if funds are available in the common agricultural policy national reserve.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Council Regulation1182/2007 <i>Laying down specificrules as regards the fruit and vegetable sector, amending Directives 2001/112/ECand 2001/113/EC and Regulations (EEC) No 827/68, (EC) No 2200/96, (EC) No 2201/96,(EC) No 2826/2000, (EC) No 1782/2003 and (EC) …
12 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to any concerns that deer farmers may not be able to access common agricultural policy (CAP) funding in future as their inclusion in single farm payment schemes will depend on sufficient entitlements being available in the CAP national reserve.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The possibility ofproviding funding from the national reserve component of the single farmpayment scheme to the deer farming sector is currently being considered in the contextof the consultation on <i>Reform of the EU Fruit and Vegetable Regime and Deer Farm…