Parliamentary questions

John Farquhar Munro

549 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

30 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of a landlord evading a tenant farmer’s pre-emptive right to buy it has been made aware of.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29420 on 8 December 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/business…

30 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to prevent landowners circumventing the tenant farmers’ pre-emptive right to buy.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 2003 sets out at section 27 criteria governing where landlords and landowners can and cannot proceed with the transfer of farm land without triggering a pre-emptive right to buy. The Scottish Government is presently un…

8 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reasons the Inverinate and Dorusduain Forests are being put up for sale by the Forestry Commission Scotland and whether the local community has been asked if it would like to purchase the forests for community use.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The woodlands at Inverinate and Dorusduain were identified for disposal as part of Forestry Commission Scotland''s repositioning programme, whereby land of relatively low public benefit is sold to provide funds for the creation of woodlands with high public b…

28 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in what way crofting will benefit from the £5.4 million paid by Highlands and Islands Enterprise for Beechwood Farm, formerly used as a bull stud.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The receipt for the sale of Beechwood Farm to Highlands and Islands Enterprise was £3.15 million, as notified to Parliament in the answer to question S3W-17877 on 27 November 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliamen…

28 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27018 by Roseanna Cunningham on 24 September 2009, when the ring-fencing for the (a) Crofting Counties Agricultural and (b) Croft House Grant Scheme was removed.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme and the Croft House Grant Schemes have never been ring-fenced.

7 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to remove ring-fencing from the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme and the Croft House Grant Scheme.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Croft House Grant Scheme and the Crofting Counties Agricultural Scheme are operated separately. The funding for neither Scheme is ring-fenced. Funding for the Croft House Grant Scheme comes wholly from within the Scottish Government budget. The C…

28 Aug 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will request that Network Rail improves the fencing between the railway line and the A835 near Loch Garve.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The maintenance of the railway is an operational matter for Network Rail. Network Rail advises it is aware of the state of the fencing at that location and has conducted a scoping exercise to determine the appropriate approach to carry out repairs.

11 Aug 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) lowest, (b) average and (c) highest percentage rent increase or decrease imposed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise on the rents for commercial premises owned by it in the Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross area and leased to business was in (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09 and is p…

Answer · Jim Mather: Setting the level of rent for commercial properties owned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is an operational matter for HIE. I have written to HIE''s Chief Executive asking him to respond to you directly on this issue.

11 Aug 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans Scottish Water has to upgrade the water supply in the Glendale area of Skye.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Drinking Water Quality Regulator has confirmed that work to upgrade the quality of the drinking water supplied by Scottish Water to the Glendale area of Skye is proposed as a priority investment in the 2010-15 period. Ministers will confirm Scott…

9 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend the consultation period for the draft crofting reform Bill.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The government is keen to hear views on the proposals in the draft crofting reform Bill and other constructive suggestions on how crofting legislation might be reformed to ensure a more secure future for crofting. However, it does not propose to extend the co…

7 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider taking action to give the Crofters Commission enhanced powers to intervene when landowners and land agents act to prevent crofters from buying their crofts.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23678 on 19 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliaments website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Busi…

7 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what powers and duties the Crofters Commission has to intervene and resolve disputes where landowners and land agents repeatedly challenge minor details of the boundaries of a croft in relation to a crofter’s right to buy.

7 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many instances have been drawn to its attention of landowners and land agents repeatedly challenging minor details of the boundaries of a croft in relation to a crofter’s right to buy.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Neither the Scottish Government nor the Crofters Commission records details of any enquiries made to them on disputes about boundary issues. These will, however, be few in number. The determination of the boundaries of a property is primarily a matte…

7 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reasons the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is introducing a register of septic tanks; how much this will cost, and how many additional staff will be employed to keep the register.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The registration of septic tanks with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has been a requirement since 2006 under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities)(Scotland) Regulations 2005. The register ensures SEPA has current information on the …

23 Apr 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve the quality and consistency of care provided by care homes.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon : This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0430-01.htm">http://www.scott…

23 Apr 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many job offers in the education sector have been withdrawn due to delays by Disclosure Scotland.

Answer · Adam Ingram: I am aware from your recent letter to the First Minister of the case of your constituent who had a job offer withdrawn but then re-instated whilst awaiting a disclosure check. I will provide a full and considered response to that letter in due course. <p…

2 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21883 by Stewart Stevenson on 2 April 2009, whether it will outline how indicative estimates of the value of cost to government and the present value benefits were arrived at in relation to the Inverness bypass.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: In relation to the Inverness bypass, the indicative estimate of the value of cost to government was arrived at based on the cost of similar recently implemented interventions discounted to present values in line with standard transport appraisal. Th…

2 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21883 by Stewart Stevenson on 2 April 2009, on what date indicative estimates of the capital cost, value of cost to government and present value benefits were first arrived at in relation to the Inverness bypass.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: In relation to the Inverness bypass, the indicative estimates of the capital cost/value of cost to government and present value of benefits were first arrived at during May 2008 and between July and August 2008 respectively.

2 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21885 by Stewart Stevenson on 2 April 2009, whether it will set out its timetable for design and consultative stages in relation to the upgrading of the A82 and when a comprehensive plan will be available.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This government is committed to upgrading the A82 on a continuing and progressive basis as a key priority and improvements at Pulpit Rock and a bypass for Crianlarich are already planned within the current programme. The Strategic Transport Projects …

2 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21885 by Stewart Stevenson on 2 April 2009, whether it will set out its timetable for design and consultative stages in relation to the dualling of the A9 and on what date a comprehensive plan will be available.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Design work is currently underway to improve the A9 by dualling between Birnam and Luncarty. In addition, the current investment programme provides for improvements and reconstruction schemes at Kincraig, Loch Moy, Bankfoot, Carrbridge, Kincraig to Dalraddy, …

2 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21885 by Stewart Stevenson on 2 April 2009, whether it can identify any of the recommended schemes in the Strategic Transport Projects Review that may take longer to complete than the 10 years between 2012 and 2022 and, if not, on what basis it was d…

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) provides a robust framework of prioritised schemes, the delivery of which will be considered in future spending reviews and covering future Parliaments. It is, therefore, not possible at this stage to pr…

19 Mar 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to announce the membership and remit of the Bull Hire Scheme review group.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: We published the remit of the independent review group yesterday. I am delighted that Sarah Allen, who served on the Crofters Commission until the end of February, has agreed to chair the group. The government will announce the full membership of the group in…

18 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, following the announcement in March 2009 of job losses at the National Trust for Scotland, what communication VisitScotland has had with the trust about keeping historic properties open to the public.

Answer · Jim Mather: The National Trust for Scotland is an independent charitable trust and is responsible for its own finances and management of its properties. Discussions between VisitScotland and the Trust will take place in mid-April to discuss the proposals. Scottish Govern…

18 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many applicants to the mortgage to rent scheme have retained the maximum allowable amount of £8,000 after their property transfer was completed.

Answer · Alex Neil: The information requested is not held centrally.

18 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is assessing the risk to trees from sudden oak death, Phytophtora ramorum, and whether action can be taken to reduce the risk.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government launched a consultation paper: Consultation on future management of risks from Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae in July 2008. This included assessments of the potential impact of these diseases on trees. We are …

12 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21036 by Stewart Stevenson on 11 March 2009, whether it will list the recommended schemes in the Strategic Transport Projects Review that may take longer to complete than the 10 years between 2012 and 2022.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: In implementing these recommended schemes, there are many stages to be undertaken, including detailed design and essential consultative and statutory stages before setting out a programme and associated timescale for each scheme. This process is deta…

12 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what work on the economic impact of the Inverness bypass was carried out before the draft of the Strategic Transport Projects Review report 3 was produced in July 2008 and whether it will publish the information.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The recommendations of the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) are based on the most robust analysis and evidence available taking the future needs of Scotland''s strategic transport infrastructure into account. Appraisal work undertaken by Hi…

12 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21032 by Stewart Stevenson on 11 March 2009, whether it will publish the detailed results of the modelling work on the Inverness bypass undertaken by Transport Scotland between July and December 2008 and the specific results on the costs and benefits…

12 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reduce the 7% interest rate that it charges to crofters for housing loans to help relieve the burden of the current economic downturn.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: A fixed interest rate applies to loans provided to crofters under the former Crofters etc Building Grants & Loans Scheme (CBGLS). From 27 May 1982 the applicable interest rate was 7% over a period of up to 40 years. The scheme was closed to new applicants…

16 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what date Scottish ministers took the decision that the Strategic Transport Projects Review should be extended to cover the additional decade between 2022 and 2032.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The scale and phased implementation of a number of the 29 recommended schemes contained within the STPR means they may take longer to complete than the 10 years between 2012 and 2022.