Mark Ballard

31 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what trends it has identified from measuring progress against the 24 sustainability indicators introduced in April 2002.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Information on the trends in the current set of sustainable development indicators is published in <i>Indicators of Sustainable Development for Scotland: Progress Report 2005</i> published in August 2005, ISBN 0-7559-2695-1.</p>

30 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for licences to disturb badger setts have been received since 2000; what the average time taken to process such applications was, and how long it took to process the application to disturb a badger sett on the route of the Dalkeith northern bypass.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) have separate responsibilities and powers under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 for licensing the disturbance to badgers or their setts, determined by the nature of the works to be undertaken.</p> …

25 Jan 2006 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to improve the environmental performance of the public sector and what impact the implementation of the EU Public Sector and Utilities Procurement Directives will have on such performance.

Answer · Ross Finnie: This is a high priority for the Executive. Our initiative to improve the environmental performance of public bodies now covers 54 organisations. I have asked them to ensure that they have environment policies in place with full arrangements for monitoring and…

24 Jan 2006 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it considers that there were any issues arising from the most recent presentation of MSPs¿ expenses and, if so, what action it will take in future in this regard.

Answer · Nora Radcliffe: In accordance with its wish to be more open and accessible with regard to expenses, the SPCB has established a Joint Working Group of members and officials to look at issues. It is recognised that, in publishing information on MSPs allowances, adequate explan…

5 Dec 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Transport and Telecommunications plans to meet representatives of Edinburgh University Student’s Association to discuss Lothian Buses’ treatment of mature students in the pricing structure for its travel passes and, if so, when the meeting will be.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive provides help with travel costs for mature students under further and higher education funding. Student discounts for travel are commercial decisions made by travel operators. Accordingly, I have no plans for such a meeting.</p>

21 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis has been carried out of the projected impact of the A68 northern bypass on traffic flows.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Our consultants have constructed a traffic model based on the Transport Model for Scotland which takes into account the potential patronage of the Borders Railway. It has allowed us to predict the amount of traffic which will divert to the A68 Dalkeith Northe…

21 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the A68 Dalkeith northern bypass will be single carriageway and, if so, whether there are any plans to make it dual carriageway in future.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The A68 Dalkeith bypass will be constructed as a single carriageway with climbing lanes in accordance with the Orders which were made in 1993. There are no plans to upgrade to dual carriageway in the future.</p>

21 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-19856 by Tavish Scott on 10 November 2005, what substantial advance earthworks and ground consolidation have been undertaken in respect of the A68 Dalkeith northern bypass and where such works are located.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Advance earthworks were carried out at the former open cast sites at Home Farm and Bellyford Burn. Ground consolidation works were undertaken in the vicinity of Langside Farm. All of these works were within the limit of land acquired for the scheme.</p>

21 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-19932 by Tavish Scott on 10 November 2005, how the economic benefits of the A68 Dalkeith northern bypass have been reassessed; when this work was carried out and by whom, and whether a report of the reassessment is available for consultation.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The department’s design agents, W A Fairhurst &amp; Partners have been appointed to carry out this work. While this an on-going process, the preliminary results indicate that the scheme remains economically sound. On completion the results of the reassessment…

21 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether all the necessary planning consents and land purchases are in place for the A68 Dalkeith northern bypass.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The necessary planning consent for the scheme was confirmed under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 and the Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 1947 in 1993.</p> <p>Land for settling ponds is being acquired by agreement.</p>

21 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to use settling ponds in the design of the A68 Dalkeith northern bypass to avoid pollution of the River Esk and other watercourses and whether (a) all planning consents are in place and (b) the necessary land has been purchased for such ponds.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Settling ponds will be part of the design of the drainage of the Dalkeith Northern Bypass. The necessary planning consent for the scheme was confirmed under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 and the Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 194…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of wildlife crime have been reported to each police force in each of the last five years.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The following table shows the number of wildlife offences recorded by the Police.</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> <p align=center>Police Force</p></td> <td> <p align=right>2000-01</p></td> <td> <p ali…

18 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which categories of wildlife crime are most commonly investigated by each police force.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: This information is not held centrally.</p>

19 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why the Dalkeith northern bypass is now regarded as urgent and what evidence the Executive has that the current estimate of £40 million represents best value for taxpayers in terms of transport options for the area, given that the multi-modal appraisal promised by it following the strateg…

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Strategic Roads Review decision intended that a number of schemes, including the A68 Dalkeith Bypass, should be brought forward after the schemes approved for construction had been completed. That stage has now been reached.</p> <p>The Dalkeith bypass is …

13 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why it was decided that the Dalkeith Northern Bypass did not meet the criteria for environmental impact assessment (EIA) in 1992 under Schedule 2 to the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1988 given the proximity of the route to an established Site of Special Scientific Inter…

Answer · Tavish Scott: An Environmental Assessment for Dalkeith Northern Bypass was undertaken in 1992 but because the proposed road was greater than 100m from the boundary of the Site of Special Scientific Interest there was no statutory requirement to publish an Environmental Sta…

14 Sep 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review its decision not to establish a register of lupus sufferers.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: No.</p>

20 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, if the Environmental Protection Act 1990 does not allocate clear responsibility for dealing with floating litter, it will use the new powers under subsection (6C) of section 89 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, implemented through subsection (2) of section 57 of the Antis…

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Anti-Social Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004, in amending section 89 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 did not extend the scope of the provisions to deal specifically with litter from watercourses. Section 89(1) and (2) of the 1990 Act place gene…

20 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Environmental Protection Act 1990 includes provision for responsibilities for litter floating in watercourses.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-16820 on 31 May 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…

20 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the issue of litter floating in watercourses is addressed in current environmental legislation.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Causing or knowingly permitting poisonous noxious or polluting matter to enter the water environment is an offence under the Control of Pollution Act 1974.</p>

10 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who is legally responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the lower section of the Water of Leith.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: It is an offence under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 for anyone to cause pollution of a watercourse other than as permitted by a discharge consent. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has  a general duty to promote the cleanliness of waters in Scot…

10 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scotland is covered by the Security Industry Authority licensing scheme and, if not, when it is likely to be covered.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, which was the subject of a Sewel Motion debated in the Parliament on 2 February 2005, amended the Private Security Industry Act 2001 to extend the remit of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) to Scotland. Off…

4 May 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to establish a register of lupus sufferers.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Although the Executive has no plans to establish a register of lupus sufferers the new General Medical Services (GMS) contract includes management of chronic conditions and the “Quality and Outcomes Framework” recognises GP’s commitment to personal care, cont…

15 Apr 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many reportable incidents involving airguns have resulted in prosecutions in each of the last five years.

Answer · Colin Boyd: The information requested is not readily available in the format required and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p>

15 Apr 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many reportable incidents involving airguns have occurred in each of the last five years.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The number of recorded crimes and offences involving airweapons and unidentified weapons in the last five years is given in the table.</p> <p>There have been changes in recording practices which have affected the number of recorded crimes and offences involvi…

16 Mar 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action the Minister for Health and Community Care will take in light of recent research by the US Department of Health stating that levels of air pollution in Edinburgh and Glasgow could be damaging to unborn babies, leading to an increased risk of cancer.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The study in question compared the rate of chromosome abnormalities in 60 newborn children in New York and found higher rates for those children whose mothers were exposed to higher levels of airborne pollution. While the authors do comment on the wider appli…

16 Feb 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce autism awareness training for criminal justice professionals.

Answer · Hugh Henry: There is a need for awareness and understanding of autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) for a wide range of professionals. We are taking forward a number of initiatives primarily amongst education, health and social care agencies. We are also very alive to the n…

2 Feb 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what further progress is being made on its review of social work.

Answer · Euan Robson: The 21st Century Social Work Review is currently gathering evidence on the role of the social worker from a wide range of sources. A call for contributions was issued on the 10 January and is already eliciting a significant response. An interim report will be…

12 Jan 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average time is for a case which has been referred to the courts by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission to come before the courts.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The current average time fromthe date of referral by the commission to the date of a hearing is 14 weeks.</p>

8 Dec 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who owns the carbon rights in trees that are planted under the Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme helps to deliver our Scottish Forestry Strategy on land other than that managed by Forestry Commission Scotland. Assets from woodlands created or maintained through the grants scheme belong to the landowner and this applies…

6 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many regulated procedures were carried out under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in (a) 2002 and (b) 2003.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-11253 answered on 18 October 2004. All answers to written PQs are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search…