Parliamentary questions

Keith Brown

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

1 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it believes that an application for local authority planning permission on a building or site of potential historical interest constitutes a valid reason to defer the process of its historical listing.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Current policy for statutory listing states that it will not normally be advanced in the face of a live planning application or appeal. This provides a reasonable application of the legislation within the current planning framework, particularly as unlike Eng…

12 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-9499 by Linda Fabiani on 3 March 2008, whether it will provide details of the planning applications referred to and the grounds on which Historic Scotland objected to or recommended call-in in each case.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: on </a>3 March 2008, whether it will provide details of the planning applications referred to and the grounds on which Historic Scotland objected to or recommended call-in in each case. (<a name=PQRef>S3W-10907</a>)<a name=MinisterName>…

3 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to (a) include in its review of antisocial behaviour and (b) legislate on the issue of high hedges as covered in the proposal for a Member’s Bill in the name of Scott Barrie MSP during Session 2 of the Parliament.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is exploring options, including legislative ones, for supporting a means of last resort for resolving disputes about high hedges. This will be done in parallel to the national antisocial behaviour review. In doing so, we will bear in m…

3 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what potential it sees in using offshore energy transmission methods for (a) exporting energy generated in Scotland and (b) moving energy from point of generation to point of usage within Scotland.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government believes that to fully capitalise on our renewables resource we must explore the potential to export electricity using sub-sea cables. In the shorter term, we are urgently seeking fairer charging and connection regimes for Sco…

3 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what total amounts were spent through the discretionary fund for higher education students, and its predecessor budgets, in each financial year since 1999-2000.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The total amounts spent through the higher education discretionary funds for each financial year since 1999-2000 are highlighted as follows: <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td width=107 valign=top > Financial…

21 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has discussed alcohol licensing fees at meetings with the Federation of Small Businesses or the Scottish Grocers’ Federation.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government has an ongoing dialogue and constructive relationship with the Scottish Grocers'' Federation. Fees have been discussed as part of discussions on various licensing matters. No meetings have taken place with the Federation of Small Busin…

21 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the current levels of licensing fees, in light of submissions to the consultation on licensing fees related to the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 from the Federation of Small Businesses and the Scottish Grocers’ Federation arguing for greater progressivity, especia…

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Licensing (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 provide for various fees to be charged by licensing boards. They were discussed in detail by the Justice Committee. The premises licence application fee and annual fee are set by licensing boards withi…

21 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in respect of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association’s submission to the consultation on licensing fees related to the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 that the fee structure should be reviewed in 2010.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government plans to ask the Accounts Commission to review the operation of the fee system introduced by the Licensing (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 after the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 comes fully into force in September 2009.

19 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the potential for a North Sea underwater energy transmission network for the large-scale transmission of energy between different parts of Scotland, as an objective separate from the aim of internationally transmitting energy for export which is generally associate…

Answer · Jim Mather: The current focus of the Scottish Government on the electricity grid is twofold. Firstly, to secure fairer transmission charging and access to the onshore grid and, in the longer term, to achieve economic benefits from export of renewable energy.

19 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it would consider in principle requiring by regulation that road maintenance projects display prominently on site the most up-to-date expected completion date, based on the maintenance company’s plans.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: When carrying out road maintenance projects, road authorities throughout Scotland are expected to conform to the Code of Practice for Maintenance Management “ Delivering Best Value in Highway Maintenance. This Code of Practice, was prepared a…

19 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to improve or review the current regulations for ensuring that road users are kept informed of the likely completion dates of road maintenance projects.

19 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that the current regulations for ensuring that road users are kept informed of the likely completion dates of road maintenance projects offer those users adequate levels of information.

6 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that temporary bed and breakfast accommodation in the event of homelessness is a sufficiently safe option for those who have previously worked with convicted criminals in a professional context and would have significant concerns about their own personal safety in …

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Order (2004) prohibits the routine use of unsuitable temporary accommodation for homeless households with children or pregnant women. The order does not explicitly prevent the use of bed and breakfast…

5 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many objections to planning applications which were at the time being considered at a national level have been received from Historic Scotland since 1999.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The information requested is not available from 1999, however, information is available from 1 April 2005. Since then, Historic Scotland has objected to three planning applications which were subsequently called in and has itself recommended call in of four a…

5 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what principles it considers that Historic Scotland should apply in response to planning applications near sensitive historical sites.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Historic Scotland provides advice to local authorities on planning applications where the authority considers that the application will effect a scheduled monument or its setting, a Category A listed building or its setting or a site on the Inventory of G…

5 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers that the role of Historic Scotland should be in planning applications near sensitive historical sites.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Historic Scotland''s role in planning applications near sensitive sites is to provide advice to planning authorities on the potential impact of a proposed development on historic sites of national interest. These are scheduled monuments and their settings, ca…

5 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to take forward the proposals outlined in East Coast Transmission Network: Technical Feasibility Study by the Crown Estate.

Answer · Jim Mather: The report provides a helpful contribution towards understanding the possibilities for sub-sea grid development, which could help exploit Scotland''s potential for renewable energy. The Scottish Government will continue to discuss the development of the elect…

1 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any activities by Scottish Water or other public agencies in the area of the River Devon and Glendevon reservoir on 26 January 2008 which could have resulted in a substantial change in water levels on the River Devon that day.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Scottish Water has confirmed that it did not carry out any activities in the reservoir system connected to the River Devon which could have resulted in a substantial change in water levels on the River Devon on 26 January 2008. Scottish Water''s reservoirs i…

24 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many divorces in Scotland in the last five years have involved Polish nationals where legal aid funding has been awarded to (a) the female partner exclusively, (b) the male partner exclusively and (c) both partners.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Information relatingto legal aid awards is collected centrally by the Scottish Legal Aid Board. It doesnot, however, hold definitive information on the nationality of individuals whoare awarded legal aid. The board has advised that a search of its database pr…

24 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many divorces in Scotland over the last five years have involved Polish nationals.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The information requestedis not held centrally.

24 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the divorce laws of Poland provide a positive example for the Scottish legal system.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: We have not examinedthe divorce laws of Poland in any detail. We research and study the legalsystems of other countries where we feel that their systems and practices can informand develop policy here, mindful that care is needed in importing features of othe…

11 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how much local authorities spent on the 2007 Scottish Parliament and local government elections and whether it will provide a breakdown of the expenditure, including any fees paid to DRS Data & Research Services plc.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: Information is not held centrallyon the cost to local authorities of the 2007 Scottish Parliament and local governmentelections. Information is provided by local authorities on the overall annual costsof holding elections and for the registration of electors …

11 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much it spent on the 2007 Scottish Parliament and local government elections and whether it will provide a breakdown of the expenditure, including any fees paid to DRS Data & Research Services plc.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: The Scotland Office is responsiblefor meeting costs associated with the Scottish Parliament elections. The main expenditureassociated with running local government elections is normally met by local authoritiesfrom within their own budgets. For the 2007 elect…

11 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how much local authorities spent on the 2003 (a) Scottish Parliament and (b) local government elections.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: Information is not held centrallyon the cost to local authorities of the 2003 Scottish Parliament and local governmentelections. However, information published in Scottish Local Government Statistics2003-04 shows that local authorities spent £4.2 million in …

11 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of how much it spent on the 2003 (a) Scottish Parliament and (b) local government elections.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: The main expenditure on the Scottish Parliament elections was by the Scotland Office and on the local elections by localauthorities. Detailed information on those costs is not held centrally. The ScottishGovernment spent just over £384,200 in total in 2003 in…

4 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what health-related support structures are routinely available to fathers in cases of family breakdown.

Answer · Shona Robison: Health and socialcare support should be available to all family members. Responses will be determined by individual needs andwill address physical and mental wellbeing.The national BreathingSpace telephone advice line and Samaritans provide confidentia…

4 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to make, or has considered making, non-judicial mediation procedures compulsory in cases of family breakdown.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The Scottish Governmentis committed to delivering effective support for families experiencing breakdown.Mediation is a key part of the family support sector and is appropriate where bothparties are willing to participate. We do not believe that compulsion for…

4 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to create, or has considered creating, incentives to both parents to participate in non-judicial mediation procedures in cases of family breakdown.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The Scottish Governmentis committed to delivering effective support for families experiencing breakdownand has invested considerably in the family support sector. The incentive for parentsto participate in mediation is that it yields consensual outcomes on is…

4 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on giving equal access to legal aid to fathers in cases of family breakdown following the parliamentary Family Law (Scotland) Bill debate on 15 December 2005.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The eligibility testsfor legal aid in cases of family breakdown apply equally to both parties.

29 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will rule out any merger of Clackmannanshire local authority with Stirling.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-6972 on 29 November 2007, where I reaffirmed my announcement of the summerthat there will be no boundaries reform of local government during thisParliament. All answers to written parliamentary questions are ava…