Parliamentary questions

Jamie McGrigor

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

25 Feb 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in respect of sewage flooding in Campbeltown.

Answer · Allan Wilson: As RossFinnie’s response to your previous related written question S2W-4617 on 15 December 2003, and my reply of 21 January 2004 to your letter of 17 November 2003 made clear, this is an operationalmatter for Scottish Water. In the normal course, the Chief Ex…

4 Feb 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to promote the aims of the Livestock Improvement Scheme for crofting townships.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Day to daymanagement and promotion of the Livestock Improvement Schemes is a matter forthe Crofters Commission.

28 Jan 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will now publish its review of area tourist boards.

Answer · Frank McAveety: An ad hoc group of ministerson tourism has been examining the state of Scottish tourism, and the publicexpenditure devoted to it. We are considering the outcome of the area tourist boardreview in the context of these wider issues. We need a support str…

3 Dec 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that Scottish Water addresses on-going issues with Campbeltown's sewage system following repeated flooding in the town.

Answer · Ross Finnie: This is an operationalmatter for the chief executive of Scottish Water and I have asked him to writeto you about this matter.

1 Oct 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the use of Forestry Commission land for the erection of wind farms.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Our planning policy guidanceis given in National Planning Policy Guideline 6: Renewable EnergyDevelopments. Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Executive’sforestry department. The corporate plan for the Forestry Commission in Scotlandrecognises …

19 Sep 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing legislation similar to the Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Bill in Westminster.

Answer · Frank McAveety: Scottish ministers have takenthe view that, given the marked differences between Scottish and English law inthe relevant areas, a Scottish legal solution must be developed through the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Executive is currently examining the West…

18 Sep 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote Scotland as a prime food destination in western Europe in light of the current position of Taste of Scotland in respect of possible bankruptcy.

Answer · Frank McAveety: VisitScotland’s promotion ofScotland in UK and overseas tourism markets uses the tremendous appealof Scottish food and drink as a vitally important part of its marketing message.An excellent example of this was the recent and very successful Scotland withCata…

8 Aug 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to help tourists and local residents stranded in the event of a strike by employees of Caledonian MacBrayne.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: In view of the progress madein recent negotiations between Caledonian MacBrayne and the unions representingits workforce, I do not envisage tourists or local residents being stranded byindustrial action.

8 Aug 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has estimated what extra costs will be incurred by tourist operators in the Highlands and Islands in the event of a strike by employees of Caledonian MacBrayne.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: No. I trust that the recent progress in negotiations will remove any threat of industrial action.

8 Aug 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what contingency plans it has made for maintaining lifeline services to those communities and islands serviced by Caledonian MacBrayne in the event of a strike by the company's employees.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I am encouraged by therecent progress made by Caledonian MacBrayne and the trade unions representingits workforce. I trust that this will remove any threat of industrial action.

3 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing subordinate legislation under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 to deter open fires in the countryside in light of recent hill and forest fires in the Highlands and, in particular, in the Ardnamurchan area

Answer · Ross Finnie: We do not consider that there is a need for further legislation to deter open fires in the countryside. The emphasis of Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 is that a person has access rights only if they are exercised responsibly. Section 2 of the a…

20 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to provide a permanent GP on the island of Coll, given the length of time that the post has been vacant.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: NHS Argyll and Clyde has responsibility for the provision of NHS services on the island of Coll. The Scottish Executive Health Department has provided a package of measures to support the recruitment and retention of GPs in remote and rural areas.

20 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to provide GP care for the island of Coll if the present GP locum contract ends in April 2003, given the absence of a GP on the island from 15 to 22 February 2003 and the recent retirement of one of the locum GPs.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive Health Department has put in place a package of measures to support the recruitment and retention of GPs in remote and rural areas. The provision of NHS services on the island of Coll is a matter for NHS Argyll and Clyde.

20 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-32809 by Ross Finnie on 13 January 2003, how the error in the sample data for the study "Public Attitudes Towards Wind Farms in Scotland" occurred and to what extent the study contributed to the expansion of wind farms in the Highlands and Islands.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The error arose from the inadvertent use of an inaccurate grid reference to map the population samples at one of the four sites surveyed. The data error covered one particular conclusion drawn from the survey. It did not, however, undermine the central con…

14 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that an improved road gritting programme is implemented in the Highland Council area in order to ensure that pupils are able to access schools that remain open during snowy weather, in the light of recent experience in the area.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Winter maintenance of local roads is a matter for Highland Council and it is their responsibility to put in place adequate planning and resources to ensure that a road gritting programme is implemented. Winter maintenance of trunk roads in the Highland Cou…

16 Jan 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed accession of 10 new member states to the European Union in 2004 and whether this enlargement will affect the quota shares of Scottish fishermen.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive has monitored the progress of separate fisheries negotiations with each prospective EU member state but will not complete an assessment of all enlargement implications for fisheries before June 2003, when the Treaty of Accession is, for…

16 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, with regard to the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Bill and the absolute right to buy, it is making budgetary provision to cover any costs which might arise under the European Convention on Human Rights, given the comments made in the Rural Development Committee's Stage 1 Report…

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive is opposed to an absolute right to buy, which would undermine the aim of the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Bill to revitalise the tenanted sector. Our potential liability for compensation to overcome the risk of legal challenge under the Euro…

16 Dec 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of farms being tenanted would represent a vibrant tenanted sector.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Our vision of a vibrant tenanted sector is not based on the percentage of farms being tenanted. It is instead reflected by a number of factors. We want landlords to be confident to let land and for there to be strong demand for tenanted land. We want to encou…

28 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is policing the ban on sprat fishing in the Forth Estuary between 31 October 2002 and 31 March 2003 in light of any reports that boats have been witnessed fishing illegally in the area.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency has responsibility for the enforcement of this closure. The agency has no evidence of illegal activity taking place since the closure came into effect on 1 October 2002.

29 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why Pentland Ferries, operating between St. Margaret's Hope and Gill's Bay, receives no tariff rebate subsidy (TRS), given that those who ship with Northlink do benefit from TRS.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Under the terms of the Highlands and Island Shipping Services Act 1960, Tariff Rebate Subsidy (TRS) is paid to eligible shipping operators wholly or mainly engaged in providing services to the Highlands and Islands in accordance with an undertaking, a draft o…

29 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why Orkney Ferries, servicing the smaller islands, receives no tariff rebate subsidy (TRS), given that those who ship with Northlink do benefit from TRS.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Parliament approved, earlier this year, an Undertaking allowing the payment of Tariff Rebate Subsidy to NorthLink Orkney and Shetland Ferries Limited for the transport of livestock between the Northern Isles and the Scottish mainland. This complements the arr…

14 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 will apply to the transfer of employees from P&O Scottish Ferries to Northlink Ferries on 1 October 2002.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-28319 on 6 September 2002.

25 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it presented, or specific representations it made, to the National Audit Office during the compilation of their report, Dealing With Pollution From Ships, and what subsequent representations it has made to the Department of Transport to ensure the protection of the inshore w…

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive has no locus in the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General to the UK Parliament on the pollution contingency planning and response responsibilities of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which is an executive agency of the Depart…

5 Jun 2002 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure an equitable system of rating of gear stores for the aquaculture and fishing industries.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive has no plans to change the current system for the rating of gear stores for the aquaculture and fishing industries.

9 May 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much is being spent on consultation fees in respect of the Inverness and the Highlands bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Answer · Elaine Murray: The Executive has contributed £50,000 last year and this year towards the total cost of the bid. The question of expenditure on consultation fees should be addressed to the bid company, invernesshighland2008, as it is their responsibility.

29 Apr 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give an itemised breakdown of the total transport subsidy to Shetland in each of the past five years.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Shetland has received the following amounts in direct support for transport related purposes from the Scottish Executive over the last five years<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=2 WIDTH=181><TR><TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT=16>Rural Transport Fu…

10 Apr 2002 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the hotel and bed and breakfast sector is being robustly marketed.

Answer · Mike Watson: This is an operational matter for VisitScotland. However, all accommodation providers who are members of an Area Tourist Board will benefit from both brochure and internet based publicity. They will also be featured in VisitScotland promotional activity.

4 Apr 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of any drop in tourism numbers in areas where wind farms are prevalent, for example in Denmark and Wales.

Answer · Mike Watson: None, but VisitScotland is to undertake research later this year into visitors' perceptions of the effect of wind farms on tourism.

26 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the results of consultations set out in the green paper Scotland's freshwater fish and fisheries: Securing their future will be published.

Answer · Allan Wilson: I am currently considering the outcome of the recent consultation exercise with my officials. My decisions will be published once that consideration is complete.

5 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive to what animal welfare specifications any cassettes used for the transport of livestock between Orkney, Shetland and the mainland have to be built and when and with whom any such specifications were agreed.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Such use would have to comply with the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 which states that:animals must be provided with adequate space for standing in their natural position;air must be able to circulate freely;there must be sufficient space…