Parliamentary questions
Mark Ruskell
1,773 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
25 Apr 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance or principles of sustainable development were used by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland when costing Scottish Water’s investment plan, Quality and Standards III.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The <i>Water Services etc. (</i><i>Scotland</i><i>) Act 2005</i> provides for the WaterIndustry Commission for Scotland to perform its functions as economic regulator of ScottishWater independently of the Executive. Consequently, it is for the Commission tode…
25 Apr 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what policies it has to ensure that the economic regulators for Scottish Water take into consideration Scottish Water’s duty in respect of sustainability, biodiversity and sustainable flood management when costing Scottish Water’s investment programme, Quality and Standards III.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Water Industry Commissionfor Scotland is the sole economic regulator of Scottish Water. The WaterServices etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 provides for the commission to perform this functionindependently of the Executive and under a duty to ensure that Scottish …
25 Apr 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it has made available to Scottish Water to ensure that, in its operations, Scottish Water adapts to the impact of climate change and fulfils the actions outlined in Changing Our Ways: Scotland’s Climate Change Programme.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive will bemaking available £527 million of borrowing to Scottish Water to deliver its coreservices and meet ministers’ objectives for the industry in the period 2006-10.This is in line with the Water Industry Commission for Scotland’s fina…
25 Apr 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that Scottish Water makes provision for the impact of climate change in its investment programme, Quality and Standards III.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: On the 28 September 2005, the Scottish Executive issued a Direction to Scottish Water setting out clearly theobjectives Scottish Water must meet in the next regulatory period, 2006-10, andthe objectives Scottish Water should plan and prepare for in the period…
19 Apr 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any aspect of the proposed ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Firth of Forth constitutes surface storage of fossil fuels.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: No.</p>
19 Apr 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any aspect of proposed ship-to-ship transfers of oil in the Firth of Forth constitutes works within a harbour area which may obstruct or endanger navigation, listed in Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998 as an exception from the reservation in respect of marine transport matters.
Answer · Tavish Scott: As a general rule, works whichmay cause or are likely to result in an obstruction or danger to navigation, requireto be assessed under the terms of Section 34 of the Coast Protection Act 1949, whichis devolved. However, decisions in relation to the regulation…
27 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the authorities in Scotland exercise their responsibilities under the EU Habitats Directive in respect of (a) the assessment of plans or projects likely to have an effect on European wildlife sites and (b) the consideration of alternative solutions and of imperative reasons of over-ri…
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W 24710 on 26 April 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.…
27 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the authorities in Scotland exercise their responsibilities under the EU Habitats Directive in respect of (a) the assessment of a plan or project likely to have an effect on a European wildlife site, (b) the consideration of alternative solutions and of imperative reasons of over-rid…
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W 24710 on 26 April 2006. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for whichcan be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…
27 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive by what process regulation 49 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994, as amended, is applied in harbour authority areas in Scotland in respect of ship-to-ship transfers of oil and other chemicals which are likely to have an adverse effect on the integrity of a Europe…
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W 24710 on 26 April 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.…
27 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive by what process regulation 48 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994, as amended, is applied to assess the implications for European wildlife sites of ship-to-ship transfers of oil and other chemicals in (a) harbour authority areas in Scotland, (b) other inshore wate…
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The merchant shipping legislationrelating to ship to ship transfers of oil and other chemicals is not specificallycovered by Part IV of the Conservation (Natural Habitats & c.) Regulations 1994and as such Regulation 48 and 49 of the Conservation (Natural …
16 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding will be provided for scientific research to investigate Scottish Natural Heritage’s concerns about the animal welfare consequences of relocating hedgehogs from the Uists.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: This is a matter for ScottishNational Heritage (SNH). In taking forward their work on the Uist Wader Project,SNH have made it clear that they attach a very high priority to identifying methodswhich scientific evidence has demonstrated to be the most humane.</…
16 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many hedgehogs killed under the Uist Wader Project were found to be pregnant and at what stages of pregnancy.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: These are matters which are withinthe operational responsibility of Scottish Natural Heritage. I have therefore askedthe Chief Executive of Scottish Natural Heritage to write to you and for a copyof his reply to be placed in the Scottish Parliament Informatio…
16 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many hedgehogs killed under the Uist Wader Project were found to have the remains of bird eggs or chicks in their systems.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: These are matters which are withinthe operational responsibility of Scottish Natural Heritage. I have therefore askedthe Chief Executive of Scottish Natural Heritage to write to you and for a copyof his reply to be placed in the Scottish Parliament Informatio…
16 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the current estimate is for the total cost of completing the eradication of hedgehogs from the Uists and Benbecula.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: These are matters which are withinthe operational responsibility of Scottish Natural Heritage. I have therefore askedthe Chief Executive of Scottish Natural Heritage to write to you and for a copyof his reply to be placed in the Scottish Parliament Informatio…
16 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the eradication of hedgehogs from the Uists and Benbecula is expected to be completed.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: These are matters which are withinthe operational responsibility of Scottish Natural Heritage. I have therefore askedthe Chief Executive of Scottish Natural Heritage to write to you and for a copyof his reply to be placed in the Scottish Parliament Informatio…
16 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Uist Wader Project plans to kill hedgehogs in autumn 2006 and, if so, by what methods and in what locations.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: These are matters which are withinthe operational responsibility of Scottish Natural Heritage. I have therefore askedthe Chief Executive of Scottish Natural Heritage to write to you and for a copyof his reply to be placed in the Scottish Parliament Informatio…
16 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many hedgehogs the Uist Wader Project estimates remain on each island.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: These are matters which arewithin the operational responsibility of Scottish Natural Heritage. I havetherefore asked the Chief Executive of Scottish Natural Heritage to write toyou and for a copy of his reply to be placed in the Scottish ParliamentInformation…
16 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many hedgehogs have been killed under the Uist Wader Project in (a) total and (b) each year since 2000, broken down by island.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: These are matters which arewithin the operational responsibility of Scottish Natural Heritage. I havetherefore asked the Chief Executive of Scottish Natural Heritage to write toyou and for a copy of his reply to be placed in the Scottish ParliamentInformation…
16 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much public money has been spent on the Uist Wader Project in (a) total and (b) each year since 2000.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: These are matters which arewithin the operational responsibility of Scottish Natural Heritage. I havetherefore asked the Chief Executive of Scottish Natural Heritage to write toyou and for a copy of his reply to be placed in the Scottish ParliamentInformation…
24 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why advice has been sought from Scottish Natural Heritage in respect of the oil spill contingency plan for commercial ship-to-ship transfer of oil in the Firth of Forth and for what purpose.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The role of Scottish NaturalHeritage (SNH) includes the provision of advice to the Scottish Executive on naturalheritage matters and issues likely to affect the environment of Scotland. I haveconsequently asked SNH for advice in respect of the oil spill conti…
24 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the role of Scottish ministers is in respect of the public consultation on the oil spill contingency plan for commercial ship-to-ship transfer of oil in the Firth of Forth.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive will respondto the consultation having taken advice from Scottish Natural Heritage on the potentialenvironmental implications of the oil spill contingency plan, in particular thepotential impacts on Special Protection Areas and Special …
24 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanism exists for the enforcement of methods and mitigation measures that result from the consultation on the oil spill contingency plan for commercial ship-to-ship transfer of oil in the Firth of Forth.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: Methods and mitigation measuressuggested as a result of the consultation exercise, including those suggested aspart of any environmental impact assessment, will be taken into account before therelevant oil spill contingency plan is approved. Once the plan is …
24 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether methods and mitigation measures suggested as a result of an environmental impact assessment undertaken voluntarily in respect of proposed commercial ship-to-ship transfer of oil in the Firth of Forth can be enforced by law.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-23516 on 9 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.s…
24 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether an environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been produced in respect of proposed commercial oil spill contingency plans for ship-to-ship transfer of oil in the Firth of Forth and whether any such EIA has been undertaken voluntarily or under statute.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I am aware that the Maritimeand Coastguard Agency included the member in the list of consultees sent detailsof the consultation exercise which commenced on 16 February. The member will thereforebe aware that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is one of …
23 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether an oil spill contingency plan approved without due consideration to European Protected Species would breach European directives.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-23475 on 9 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.s…
23 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether consideration of European Protected Species must be included as part of an oil spill contingency plan approval process.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The approval of oil spill contingencyplans is a matter for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) acting on behalfof the Secretary of State for Transport.</p><p>As a competent authority underthe EU Habitats Directive the MCA must have regard to the requirem…
23 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether a licence for ship-to-ship crude oil transfer affecting European Protected Species under the Habitats Directive applies to the species and their shelters and breeding places, whether or not the species are present in these places.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-23473 on 9 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.s…
23 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is the authority from whom a licence must be sought for works in respect of the proposed commercial ship-to-ship crude oil transfer in the Firth of Forth which will affect European Protected Species under the Habitats Directive.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive does notissue licences specifically for ship-to-ship transfer of crude oil.</p><p>If it were to be establishedthat the proposed commercial ship-to-ship transfer of crude oil were likely to disturba European Protected Species, or damage …
22 Feb 2006 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what role it will play in the issue of ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Firth of Forth following any decision by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to approve Forth Ports Authority¿s oil spill contingency plan.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive will maintaincontact with Her Majesty’s Government on any legislative and policy matters arisingfrom any such ship-to-ship oil transfers.</p>
20 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will consult on a liability regime for contamination by genetically modified crops.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive will be issuing a consultation on proposals for managing the coexistence of GM, conventional and organic crops in the spring. Included as part of this consultation will be options for providing compensation to non-GM farmers who suffer …