John Farquhar Munro

8 Dec 1999 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next meet representatives of the scallop farming industry and what items will be on the agenda.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group (SIFAG), agreed at its recent meeting to convene a meeting devoted to the ASP issue, early in the new year. In addition to the Marine Laboratory Aberdeen, the Sea Fish Industry Authority, Highlands and Islands En…

18 Nov 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning testing procedures to ensure that they conform with other European Union member states in the interpretation of the relevant EU guidelines.

Answer · Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive ensures that testing procedures for ASP are carried out in accordance with EC Directive 97/61. It is for the EU to ensure compliance with EC Directives in other Member States.

17 Nov 1999 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning testing procedures to ensure that they conform with other European Union member states in the interpretation of the relevant EU guidelines.

Answer · Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive ensures that testing procedures for ASP are carried out in accordance with EC Directive 97/61. It is for the EU to ensure compliance with EC Directives in other Member States.

4 Nov 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the announcement made by the then Scottish Agriculture Minister Lord Sewel on 23 March 1999, whether it plans to honour in full the commitments given at that time in respect of the Agricultural Business Improvement Scheme.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The improvements announced by Lord Sewel on 23 March1999 came into effect on 31 March and remain part of the scheme. There was a very large surge in applications, which far exceeded the limits of the Scheme. Accordingly, following consultations with the indus…

23 Sep 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what options are being considered in relation to the establishment of an appeals mechanism for crofters and farmers who are suffering penalties incurred from the current EU subsidy system and whether the claims mechanism when introduced will be applied retrospectively.

Answer · Ross Finnie: A review of all possible options for an independent appeal mechanism is underway. Details of the proposed arrangements will be issued for consultation by the end of the year. The European Convention on Human Rights confers no automatic rights to retrospection…

22 Sep 1999 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what options are being considered in relation to the establishment of an appeals mechanism for crofters and farmers who are suffering penalties incurred from the current EU subsidy system and whether the claims mechanism when introduced will be applied retrospectively.

Answer · Ross Finnie: A review of all possible options for an independent appeal mechanism is underway. Details of the proposed arrangements will be issued for consultation by the end of the year. The European Convention on Human Rights confers no automatic rights to retrospectio…

26 Aug 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that the Skye Bridge Company will reduce the toll on the bridge over the winter months, as in previous years.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: In accordance with the 1992 Toll Order, the tolls on the Skye Bridge will be reduced between 1 October and 30 April 2000.

26 Aug 1999 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that the Skye Bridge Company will reduce the toll on the bridge over the winter months, as in previous years.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: In accordance with the 1992 Toll Order, the tolls on the Skye Bridge will be reduced between 1 October and 30 April 2000.

2 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to establish an independent legal inquiry to investigate (a) the award of a contract to construct the Skye bridge under the Public Finance Initiative and (b) the toll order on the Skye bridge.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Partnership For Scotland commits the Scottish Executive to review the effects of the reductions to discounted tolls on the Bridge made in 1998 and to freeze the tolls at their current levels in cash terms for the remainder of the contract. These measures give…