Parliamentary questions

John Farquhar Munro

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

7 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why it is necessary to have a TETRA O2 Airwave transmitter in Kyleakin.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The transmitter providesNorthern Constabulary with police radio communications in the area.

3 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Ministers have the authority to transfer the ownership of areas of the seabed from the Crown Estate or Crown Estate Commissioners contiguous to local communities in order to further the Executive’s objectives in respect of land reform.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer question S2W-23787 on 14 March 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.se…

3 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Ministers have the authority to transfer the ownership of areas of the seabed from the Crown Estate or Crown Estate Commissioners in order to develop renewable energy projects.

3 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Ministers have the authority to compulsorily purchase areas of the seabed from the Crown Estate or Crown Estate Commissioners in order to progress the development of renewable energy projects.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to theanswers to questions S2W-22827 and S2W-22828 on 28 February 2006. The Scottishministers do not have the authority to compulsorilypurchase areas of the seabed from the Crown Estate or Crown Estate Commissionersin order to progress the …

3 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances Scottish Ministers can transfer the ownership of land or seabed managed by the Crown Estate Commissioners.

2 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Transfer of Property etc. (Scottish Ministers) Order 1999 allows Scottish Ministers to transfer the ownership of Crown Estate property in Scotland.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Transfer ofProperty etc (Scottish Ministers) Order 1999, a copy of which is available in the Scottish ParliamentInformation Centre (Bib. number 30829), provides for the transfer of certain propertyand liabilities of Ministers of the Crown and gover…

2 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Ministers have, under the terms of the Scotland Act 1998, any powers over property held in Scotland by the Crown Estate and, if so, whether these powers include the ability to transfer ownership of land held in right of the Crown by the Crown Estate.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to theanswers to questions S2W-22827 and S2W-22828 on 28 February 2006. All answersto written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, thesearch facility for which can be found at:<ahref="http://www.scottis…

21 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures should be taken to ensure that teenagers with epilepsy are supported in the transition between paediatric and adult services.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: We welcome the fact that the Scottish Paediatric Epilepsy Network intends to develop transitional care pathwaysdealing with the movement from paediatric to adult services of those with epilepsy.

7 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what stage the ministerial consideration of the application to buy the Orbost Estate has reached and when it anticipates that a decision will be announced.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: There has been no applicationto Scottish ministers by any community body wishing to register an interest in purchasingthe Orbost Estate under the provisions of Part 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.The Orbost Estate is owne…

7 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what legal advice it has sought in respect of the use of DNA samples collected from volunteers in Scotland for genetic research without consent.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: DNA samples collected from volunteers in Scotland are not used for research.

7 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what legal advice it has sought in respect of the use of DNA profiles obtained from DNA samples collected from volunteers in Scotland for genetic research without consent.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-22984 on 10 March 2006. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.…

7 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what legal advice it has sought in respect of the use of DNA samples collected from individuals arrested in Scotland which has been used for genetic research without consent.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: DNA samples collected from individuals arrested in Scotland are not used for research.

7 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what legal advice it has sought in respect of the use of DNA profiles obtained from DNA samples collected from individuals arrested in Scotland which has been used for genetic research without consent.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: It is not possible to use DNAprofiles for genetic research as DNA profiles do not contain genetically significantinformation.

7 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how many research projects using DNA profiles obtained from Scots and loaded on the National DNA Database have sought the informed consent of participants since 1995.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: As noted in the answer to questionS2W-22758 on 28 February 2006, the Scottish Executive is aware of nine researchrequests which have been approved by the National DNA Database.No information is held on whetherthese projects used DNA profiles collected …

7 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how many research projects involving ethnic or racial profiling have been approved by the National DNA Database Board using DNA profiles or samples collected in Scotland since 1995.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: No research projects involving ethnic or racial profiling have been approved by the National DNA Database Board using profiles or samples collected in Scotland.

1 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what powers Scottish Ministers have under the terms of the Scotland Act 1998 over property held in Scotland in right of the Crown.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish ministers hold and administer property in right of the Crown in Scotland in their own right and pursuant to the Transfer of Property etc (Scottish Ministers) Order 1999 and the Transfer of Property etc (Lord Advocate) Order 1999. Other property h…

1 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) legal and (b) constitutional status is of the (i) Crown Estate and (ii) Crown Estate Commissioners under the terms of the Scotland Act 1998.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scotland Act 1998 did not alter the legal or constitutional status of either the Crown Estate or the Crown Estate Commissioners, which continue to be subject to the provisions of the Crown Estate Act 1961.

1 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in what circumstances the Crown Estate is exempt from (a) legislation and (b) regulations passed by the Parliament in respect of the (i) use and (ii) ownership of land in Scotland.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Crown Estate is not generally exempt from legislation or regulations passed by the Scottish Parliament. For example Scottish planning law can be applied to the Estate. However, the management of the Crown Estate remains a reserved matter.

1 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Crown Estate has a separate legal identity in Scotland and, if so, what the extent of Scottish Ministers’ powers is in that respect.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Crown Estate does not have a separate legal identity in Scotland.

30 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has powers under the Scotland Act 1998 to introduce legislation to transfer or change the ownership of Crown Estate property to local authorities.

20 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when negotiations relating to the buyout of the Inverness Airport Terminal PFI contract by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd will be completed.

Answer · Tavish Scott: I am pleased to announce that negotiations between Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) and the PFI owners have now been completed and Inverness Airport Terminal Ltd has been acquired by HIAL with effect from 20 January 2006.

18 Jan 2006 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how its proposals for planning reform will ensure that the public interest is protected in respect of maintaining the balance between out-of-town shopping centres and traditional town centre and village shops.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The proposals for planning modernisation set out in the Planning Bill will give local people better opportunities to influence the planning decisions that affect them and their communities. In addition, we are in the process of revising National Planni…

4 Jan 2006 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has monitored the delivery of GP out-of-hours cover in the Highlands following the introduction of the new GP contracts.

Answer · Andy Kerr: We have and continue to monitor the performance of NHS Highland in the provision of out-of-hours cover, as part of wider monitoring arrangements for all NHS boards. As well as the Health Department monitoring NHS boards’ overall performance through the…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons were for its overturning a decision by Highland Council to refuse planning permission for a Hutchison 3G telephone mast in King Brude Road, Inverness.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The reporter appointed to determine this case explained the reasons for allowing the appeal in his decision letter dated 2 November 2005. A copy of this letter was sent to Mr Munro on that date.

25 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much was paid to the Haemophilia Society in each year from 1980 to 2004 and what the purpose was of these payments.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Haemophilia Society has received grant funding under section 16B of the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978, amounting to £10,000 in each financial year from 1996-97 to 2005-06. The purpose of these grants is to offer the society a contribution to the costs of the su…

25 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether imported blood plasma was present in any blood plasma products used by the NHS, or any other healthcare suppliers, between 1980 and 1988.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The Scottish National Blood TransfusionService (SNBTS) has confirmed that blood plasma products manufactured by them during1980-88 were not derived from imported plasma.However, demand for blood plasmabased products, mainly Factor VIII for the treatmen…

19 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects the Crown Estate or Crown Estate Commissioners under the Interim Scheme for the Authorisation of Marine Fish Farms in Scottish Waters to implement recommendations made by (a) the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit or (b) the relevant local authority.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Yes, under the terms of the agreed non-statutory scheme.

19 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under the Interim Scheme for the Authorisation of Marine Fish Farms in Scottish Waters, the Crown Estate, as the relevant authority under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Fish Farming in Marine Waters) Regulations 1999, and competent authority under the Conservation (Natural …

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Whilst not legally bound to do so, I understand that the Crown Estate has made clear that it expects always, in accordance with the terms of the non-statutory Interim Scheme, to follow recommendations of the local authorities or the Scottish Executive Inquiry…

19 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-19691 by Malcolm Chisholm on 18 October 2005, why it is the responsibility of the Crown Estate to answer questions on the content of the Annat Bay fish farm report if that report was produced by the Scottish Executive.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The report into proposals toestablish a finfish farm at Annat Bay was produced by an inquiry reporter provided by the ScottishExecutive Inquiry Reporters Unit. The Inquiry Reporters Unit has no input into thecontent of his report which is made directly to the…

7 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will bring the provisions of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 into force.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 will be commenced as soon as possible after the designation of the Cathraiche and ordinary members of the statutory body to be created by the act, Bòrd na Gàidhlig. These members will take up appointment when the act co…