Parliamentary questions
Jamie McGrigor
1,122 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
24 Mar 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a (a) breakdown and (b) explanation of any payments made to Argyll Ferries Limited since July 2011 in addition to the contractually agreed payments for the provision of the Gourock to Dunoon ferry service.
Answer · Keith Brown: All payments made to Argyll Ferries Ltd since July 2011 are under the terms of their public services contract with the Scottish Ministers. Argyll Ferries Ltd annual accounts, which detail the subsidy payments received during each financial year, are publishe…
17 Mar 2014 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: Through the Scottish Funding Council, the Scottish Government is providing over £33 million to the University of the Highlands and Islands during the current academic year.
14 Mar 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the days-at-sea restrictions, what support it will provide to the skippers of the west coast nephrops fleet who want to purchase updated or new vessels.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: EU state aid rules strictly limit the amount of government aid which can be provided to fishing vessels to a relatively small “de minimis” amount. Additionally the reformed Common Fisheries Policy does not permit aid to be provided towards the purchase or con…
12 Mar 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether, as part of the decision to deploy the MV Coruisk on the Gourock to Dunoon route, the Deputy First Minister or Transport Scotland issued instructions to Argyll Ferries regarding the timetable and duration of crossings.
Answer · Keith Brown: Under the terms of the contract between Scottish Ministers and Argyll Ferries Limited, Transport Scotland issued a contract variation notice to Argyll Ferries Limited on 17 December 2013. This contract variation notice covered the operational period of the MV…
11 Mar 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to questions S4W-17786, S4W-19755 and S4W-19947 on 11 October 2013, 26 February 2014 and 11 March 2014 respectively and in light of the answer to S4W-17768, which stated that "the Deputy First Minister has indicated that she intends to reach a conclusion on the way…
Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-19947 on 11 March 2014, to S4W-19755 on 26 February 2014, to S4W-17786 on 6 November 2013 and to S4W-17356 on 3 October 2013. I have no further information to provide at this time. All answers to written parlia…
11 Mar 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the advice that it has received on the suitability of using the MV Coruisk on the Gourock-Dunoon route, in light of the incident involving the vessel at the Dunoon linkspan on 11 March 2014.
Answer · Keith Brown: Advice received from David MacBrayne Ltd on the use of the MV Coruisk on the Gourock-Dunoon route has recently been published on Transport Scotland’s website in response to a freedom of information request. The information can be accessed by following the att…
10 Mar 2014 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent breakdown of mackerel quota talks, what steps it is taking to support fishermen.
6 Mar 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-19909 by Roseanna Cunningham on 6 March 2014, for what reasons it did not propose the abolition of honorary sheriffs in its consultation on the Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill and how many respondents to the consultation called for their abolition.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The proposals in the draft Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill consulted upon in 2013 included restricting the civil competence of the honorary sheriff to that of the new summary sheriff. The Scottish Government has listened to the representations it has received …
26 Feb 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-19755 by Keith Brown on 26 February 2014, whether it will provide the information requested.
Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer I gave on 26 February 2014 to S4W-19755 and on 6 November 2013 and 3 October 2013 to S4W-17786 and S4W-17356. I have no further information to provide at this time. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available …
24 Feb 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on concerns that abolishing the post of honorary sheriff could (a) place extra pressure on other parts of the judicial system and (b) lead to a loss of expertise, particularly in rural areas.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has no evidence to suggest that extra pressure will be placed on other parts of the judicial system as business that would previously have been heard by honorary sheriffs will continue to be heard. The efficient disposal of business i…
24 Feb 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons it plans to abolish the post of honorary sheriff.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government considers that the need for honorary sheriffs will reduce and will cease with the advent of the new summary sheriffs and also as a result of the greater use of technology such as video links to remote locations. The efficient disposal…
24 Feb 2014 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to prevent further closures of the A83 because of landslips.
17 Feb 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that Forestry Commission Scotland staff facilitate new tree planting.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) staff work to implement the woodland creation objectives of the Scottish Forestry Strategy, the FCS Corporate Plan and the recommendations of the Woodland Expansion Advisory Group. FCS conservancy staff are required to faci…
17 Feb 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that (a) its agencies and (b) Forestry Commission Scotland play a vital role in implementing its policies and ensure that targets are met.
Answer · John Swinney: Both the Scottish Government’s executive agencies and Forestry Commission Scotland are vital and integral parts of the Scottish Government and responsible for the direct delivery of public services. Each has a well-defined remit which is aligned with the gove…
17 Feb 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the annual target of 10,000 hectares of new forestry planting from 2015 is met, and what proportion of this new tree planting it considers should be productive conifers.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government is working closely with representatives from the forestry industry to ensure the next Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) is well designed to help deliver the woodland creation target of 100,000 hectares, over the decade betwee…
17 Feb 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking, in addition to external certification audits, to ensure its long-term commitment to the economic sustainability of the national forest estate.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The national forest estate is managed in accordance with published national strategic directions to deliver economic, social and environmental benefits for the people of Scotland. In delivering these benefits, Forest Enterprise Scotland is mandated to secure…
17 Feb 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects current net forestry planting rates to provide sufficient round timber at maturity to sustain the wood processing industry at current or higher levels.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse : I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-18700 on 18 December 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentar…
17 Feb 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Timber Markets Impact Group will report on the long-term sustainability of productive forests.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Forestry Commission will publish a 50 year forecast of potential softwood availability from Scotland’s forests by the end of May 2014. The forecast will account for various scenarios of levels of restocking and new planting. The findings of the forecast w…
17 Feb 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-17786 by Keith Brown on 6 November 2013, when the Deputy First Minister will announce her conclusion on the way forward.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Deputy First Minister set out to Parliament on 19 September 2013 her intention to consult with the Gourock-Dunoon Ferry Services Steering Group on the future options for service and the next steps prior to reaching a conclusion.
7 Feb 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the costs of certified, dual-use compostable carrier bags will be considered reasonable costs in the proposed regulations on charging for carrier bags.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-19665 on 6 March 2014. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at the following address: http://www.scottish.parliame…
7 Feb 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether there are cost savings in relation to food waste collection when supermarkets sell home compostable carrier bags at the checkout.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-19665 on 6 March 2014. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at the following address: http://www.scottish.parliame…
7 Feb 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the distribution of dual-use home compostable carrier bags will have an impact on reducing contamination at biowaste treatment plants.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-19665 on 6 March 2014. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at the following address: http://www.scottish.parliame…
7 Feb 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is encouraging collaboration between local authorities and supermarkets that want to sell home compostable carrier bags at checkouts.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-19665 on 6 March 2014. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at the following address: http://www.scottish.parliame…
7 Feb 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether home compostable carrier bags already sold in some supermarkets will be exempt from the proposed 5p charge on single-use carrier bags.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The proposed regulations are yet to be finalised. Compostable carrier bags will be included in the proposed charging scheme, as the purpose is to encourage people to use fewer bags and promote re-use, rather than switching to different materials. There is po…
16 Jan 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the response was to the landslip on the A83 at the Rest and be Thankful on 15 January 2014 and what progress is being made in work to (a) prevent and (b) minimise the impact of landslips on the A83.
Answer · Keith Brown: A minor landslide occurred on the A83 Rest and Be Thankful after 16:00 on 15 January 2014. Our operating company, BEAR Scotland and Police Scotland were quickly on site to review and assess the situation and manage the initial response. The A83 was never clos…
10 Jan 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the appropriateness of Forestry Commission Scotland having Forest Stewardship Council certification if it is felling more forestry than it is planting.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The National Forest Estate is certified under the UK Woodland Assurance Standard which provides an independent assurance that its management conforms to best practice in terms of environmental sustainability. The UKWAS Standard is approved by the Forest Stewa…
10 Jan 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the amount of extra carbon in tonnes that is present in the environment as a result of premature forestry felling and failure to replant with trees efficient in carbon capture.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The UK National Greenhouse Gas Inventory provides the basis for estimates of carbon capture by forests. In 2011, the latest year for which figures are available, Scotland's forests captured over approximately 2.5Mt of carbon (equivalent to over 9MtCO2). The c…
10 Jan 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the annual forestry planting programme has been since the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 was passed and how much of this has been of productive conifers broken down by net area.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The table below sets out the figures for total woodland creation, creation of new productive conifer woodlands in the private sector and creation of new conifer woodlands on the National Forest Estate between 2009-10 and 2012-13. Figures for 2009-10 reflect p…
10 Jan 2014 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the net area is of productive forest being (a) felled and (b) replaced annually.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Forestry Commission Scotland does not collect data on the total area of private sector forest felled on an annual basis. Although felling licences are issued for fellings, there is no requirement to harvest in a particular year, however most are conditional o…
9 Dec 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it will provide to the fishing industry that it will pursue as a priority the removal of the west coast prawn fleet from the Cod Recovery Plan in light of reported new evidence that it has a minimal impact on cod stocks.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is working now with the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation and the Clyde Fishermen’s Association to secure the exemption of prawn fishing vessels active in the Clyde and Kintyre area from time at sea limits imposed under the EU’s Cod Reco…