Mark Ruskell

30 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that NHS Tayside may have to reduce its number of staff in order to balance its finances.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10086 on 19 July 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/2…

28 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on what further work is required to understand the differences in the experience of pain between puppies and adult dogs that have undergone tail amputations.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has no information on further work required to understand the differences in the experience of pain incurred through tail surgery in dogs. The Scottish Government will continue to monitor research on the effects of tail docking in lamb…

28 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to the reintroduction of beavers beyond the two areas where wild populations currently exist.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is not considering any further reintroductions of beavers beyond the populations currently at Knapdale and on Tayside.

28 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will monitor the implementation of the exemption on tail docking for working dogs.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has no plan to monitor the implementation of the exemption on tail docking for working dogs.

28 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the economic impact would be of a ban on dredging within three nautical miles of the shore, broken down by fishing sector.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Using information from landings figures and vessel monitoring systems, it is possible to estimate the value of landings by scallop dredgers from the 0-3 nautical mile zone. In 2016 Scottish vessels caught king scallops with a value of £10.6 million from the 0…

28 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what evidence there is of beaver persecution taking place in 2017.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is not aware of any evidence of culling of beavers in 2017.

28 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress Scottish Natural Heritage has made in the development of an agreed National Ecological Network.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is currently preparing a paper on a national ecological network for Scotland in the context of the commitment in the 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity to complete the suite of protected areas and improve their connecti…

28 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on the delivery of a further 13 Ecosystem Health Indicators by September 2017.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Natural Heritage is leading the development of a suite of Ecosystem Health Indicators to assess the state of ecosystem health across Scotland. In 2014, the then Minister for the Environment agreed the suite of data sets to be used and the work has be…

28 Jun 2017 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, further to the answer to question S5O-0076 by David Stewart on 9 March 2017 (Official Report, c.45), what progress has been made to achieve the Food For Life Silver quality mark

Answer · David Stewart: The SPCB’s Facilities Manager responsible for the catering services has met with representatives from the SOIL Association to discuss the possibility of the Scottish Parliament achieving the Silver Food for Life Catering mark.  The next step will be to meet w…

28 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-09227 by the Lord Advocate on 24 May 2017, if the alleged crime is against (a) an animal or bird and (b) the environment, who can advocate for a review of a prosecutor’s decision.

Answer · James Wolffe QC: The Lord Advocate’s Rules: Review of Decision not to Prosecute, made under section 4 of the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014, give effect to EU Directive 2012/29/EU. This defines a “victim” as follows- “A victim is defined as someone who has suffere…

28 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what resources it has committed to the continued development of the TIMES (The Integrated MARKAL-EFOM System) model.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is committed to the development of the TIMES model. A dedicated branch sits with in the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to run and extend the model. The Scottish Government has also seconded a TIMES analyst to ClimateXchange at Ed…

28 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with its plan to develop an integrated transport modelling component for the TIMES (The Integrated MARKAL-EFOM System) model.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is undertaking further runs of the TIMES model to incorporate updated sector assumptions and reflect the Scottish Government’s latest policies and proposals. These will inform the final Climate Change plan. We continue to use the Elem…

28 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken regarding the recommendation by the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee to carry out a run of the TIMES (The Integrated MARKAL-EFOM System) model that places a greater emphasis on modal shift and therefore has alternative car traffic growth assu…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is undertaking further runs of the TIMES model to incorporate updated sector assumptions and reflect the Scottish Government’s latest policies and proposals. These will inform the final Climate Change plan.

28 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will carry out a run of the TIMES (The Integrated MARKAL-EFOM System) model for a scenario that excludes carbon capture and storage.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is undertaking further runs of the TIMES model to incorporate updated sector assumptions and reflect the Scottish Government’s latest policies and proposals. These will inform the final Climate Change plan.

28 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will carry out a run of the TIMES (The Integrated MARKAL-EFOM System) model for a scenario in which Scotland no longer has access to the European Union Emission Trading Scheme after the UK leaves the EU.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Climate Change Plan modelling takes into account the EU ETS cap for the traded sector to 2020. In subsequent years, the Climate Change Plan modelling uses actual emissions from the traded sector rather than reflecting the impact of the ETS cap. This refle…

28 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment to do so by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change during stage 2 proceedings on 9 June 2009 (Official Report, c. 1885), what voluntary measures to increase the recycling of drinks containers and reduce the volumes of such containers bein…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has in place a range of regulatory and voluntary activity to increase recycling rates, including of drinks containers, and to reduce all types of litter. This activity includes supporting the UK-wide Courtauld Commitment with retailer…

27 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding preventing the introduction of Xylella fastidiosa in imported plant products.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government has worked closely with DEFRA, and other parts of the UK Plant Health Service, in relation to Xylellafastidiosa. An example of this is by participation by officials in the monthly UK Plant Health Risk Group meetings. This is a UK-wide …

27 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it can take to limit the (a) import and (b) spread of plant diseases.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Plant Health Strategy, published in March 2016, sets out the Scottish Government’s approach to the protection of the health of plants in Scotland. Specific actions are listed under seven key headings including: pre-border, border and inland measu…

27 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the threat of Xylella fastidiosa to Scotland’s ecosystem.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government recognises the threat posed by Xylellafastidiosa to Scotland’s ecosystem and a pest risk analysis (PRA) on Xylellafastidiosa was initiated following consideration of the pathogen by the UK Plant Health Risk Group. The PRA was published…

27 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be on Scotland of the European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety's vote for a full ban on the use of neonicotinoids on 22 June 2017.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is aware of the European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety vote on 22 June which did not support an attempt by Conservative MEP, Julie Girling, to halt a proposed ban by the European Commission on the…

15 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) discussions or (b) meetings it has had in 2017 with onshore petroleum exploration and development licence owners regarding its position on unconventional oil and gas.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: No meetings or discussions have taken place in 2017 between the Scottish Government and onshore petroleum exploration and development licence owners regarding its position on unconventional oil and gas. No fracking or drilling for coal bed methane can take p…

9 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date the planning appeal decision regarding Airthrey Kerse in Bridge of Allan (PPA-390-2043) will be made.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Ministers received the report and recommendations from the reporter on this planning proposal on 1 June 2017. Ministers are currently giving full and proper consideration to it.

9 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date the planning appeal decision regarding the executive housing and sports development on land at Park of Keir in Dunblane will be made.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Ministers received the report and recommendations from the reporter on this planning proposal on 22 December 2016. Ministers are currently giving full and proper consideration to it. Every effort is being made to issue the decision as soon as possible.

8 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-07899 by Fergus Ewing on 1 June 2017, for what reason (a) it did not provide a substantive answer to the question within the 10-counting day deadline and (b) the substantive answer was provided in June, following an announcement on its website in Ma…

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government was unable to provide an answer within the 10 counting day deadline because it was waiting for a third party to provide the necessary information; in this instance the membership of a newly formed working group. The standard Scottish…

31 May 2017 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many professional veterinary bodies have indicated support for its legislative proposal to allow the amputation of tails in healthy puppies.

30 May 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring community (a) representation on and (b) participation with the Longannet Task Force.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Longannet Task Force brings together key partners to mitigate the economic impacts of the power station’s early closure. Co-chaired by the Scottish Government and Fife Council, its membership is drawn from Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotla…

27 May 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide a substantive answer to question S5W-08693, which recieved a holding response on 4 May 2017, and what the reason is for the delay.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: S5W-08693 will be answered in due course.

25 May 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the (a) small businesses and (b) people affected by the recent Royal Bank of Scotland branch closures in Mid Scotland and Fife, and what impact these closures have had on the parliamentary region.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: While regulation of banks is a reserved matter, bank branch closures are a matter of great concern to communities across Scotland. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work and I raised the issue of branch closures with representatives of Scotland…

25 May 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the recent Royal Bank of Scotland branch closures.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I share your concerns over the closures recently announced by the Royal Bank of Scotland and by other banks. This is a key item I plan to discuss with UK ministers, now that the UK parliamentary election has passed.

24 May 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how (a) house prices and (b) rental costs in national park areas compare with other rural areas.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government estimate average house prices and rents in the Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) Tool. This assists Local and Planning Authorities and National Parks to estimate housing need and demand over the next 20 years. The Tool provides…