Parliamentary questions
Mike Rumbles
1,089 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
12 Nov 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is committed to the Aberdeen Crossrail project, to deliver a service between Stonehaven and Inverurie with a 15-minute frequency.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Scottish ministers are currently considering the emerging findings from the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR). The review will set out national investment priorities for 2012 to 2022. The Aberdeen Urban Network is being considered as part of this pro…
30 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S3W-14648 which received a holding reply on 23 July 2008.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: The detailed information requested is currently being collated and I will write to the member as soon as the information is available. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 46789).</p>
11 Sep 2008 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive , in light of the feasibility study by Aberdeenshire Council, whether it will provide the council with funding of £8.9 million to stabilise the Bervie Braes in Stonehaven.
Answer · John Swinney: If and when Aberdeenshire Council makes an approach to the Scottish Government, we will consider the case on its merits.</p>
6 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-10528 by Stewart Stevenson on 13 March 2008, how it defines as soon as possible.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15362 on 28 August 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/weba…
6 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12447 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 May 2008, when it will launch its consultation on improving the energy performance of existing non-domestic buildings.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15362 on 28 August 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/weba…
6 Aug 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12447 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 May 2008, when it will launch its consultation on improving the energy performance of existing domestic buildings.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government plans two phases of consultation on the energy performance of existing buildings. We intend to launch a consultation on existing non-domestic buildings in September 2008, once the Parliament has reconvened. We plan to issue a further c…
10 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has received from Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel on the reinstatement of (a) the animal health and welfare scheme, (b) farm assurance membership schemes and (c) the farm visits programme to the Scotland Rural Development Programme.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Following detailed negotiations with the European Commission, we are submitting changes to the Scotland Rural Development Programme aimed at including an animal welfare management programme; including three additional food quality assurance schemes (the QMS A…
10 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much Scottish produced beef has been exported by (a) weight and (b) value in each of the last five years for which figures are available and how much of these exports comprised beef of (i) Scottish and (ii) foreign origin.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: From 2003 to 2007, the value of Scottish beef exports was as follows:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td width=95 valign=top > <p > </p> </td> <td width=103 valign=top > <p align=center >2003</p> </td> <td widt…
10 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12010 by Richard Lochhead on 2 May 2008, what progress is being made with measures to support pig farmers.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Since the answer to question S3W-12010, the Pig Sector Task Force has completed its work and reported to the Scottish Government. I am currently considering the report and will respond as soon as possible.</p>
10 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent assessment it has made of the effectiveness of the enforcement of welfare standards for pigs.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The effectiveness of animal welfare enforcement is reviewed at animal welfare liaison meetings, held on a regular basis between staff of animal health divisional offices, local authorities, the Scottish SPCA and stakeholders. Animal health staff also meet loc…
10 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to introduce first-time sewerage schemes in rural areas.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Scottish Water (SW) has been required in its present investment programme to meet the strategic capacity requirements of all estimated new development in Scotland. This duty is caveated only by the limitation on making connections beyond what can be done at r…
10 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications it has received to the Scottish Rural Development Programme, excluding Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities, broken down by constituency.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: This information is not held centrally. However, I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-14667 on 25 July 2008, which states that a total of 16,263 applications have been received to date under the SRDP, excluding Rural Development Contracts - Rural …
10 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it spent on (a) public opinion polling and (b) market research in 2007-08.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government did not incur any spend on opinion polls or market research over the period 2007-08 and does not routinely commission or undertake this type of work.</p>
10 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many new public sector (a) directorates, (b) advisory units, (c) inspectorates, (d) agencies, (e) bodies, (f) groups, (g) committees, (h) commissions, (i) forums and (j) other quangos have been established since May 2007, including the name, purpose and set up and running costs of eac…
Answer · John Swinney: The information requested could only be obtained in full at disproportionate cost. However, in October 2007, the Scottish Government published a baseline list of the 199 national public sector organisations in Scotland, which this Government has committed to …
10 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) reviews, (b) consultations, (c) inquiries, (d) taskforces, (e) expert groups and panels and (f) discussion documents have been initiated in each cabinet secretary’s portfolio area since May 2007 and what the costs of each category have been.
Answer · John Swinney: The information requested could only be obtained in full at disproportionate cost. However, a wide range of information on reviews, consultations, inquiries, taskforces, expert groups/panels, and discussion documents is routinely published on the Scottish Gov…
25 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions the First Minister has left Scotland on official business since 16 May 2007, also showing the number of people who accompanied him on each occasion and (a) the purpose, (b) total cost and (c) who paid for each visit.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: The First Minister left Scotland 20 times on official business from 16 May 2007 to 3 July 2008. Please see following details. Costs are those associated with the First Minister and include transport and accommodation.</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellp…
25 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to preserve the art of drystane dyking.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: While dry stone dyking is without question a key part of the rural amenity, there are other areas of extreme skills shortage. Historic Scotland is actively involved in measures to assist industry in ensuring that there are suitably trained operatives to maint…
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to develop the beef, lamb, pig and poultry sectors.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is committed to the long-term viability of the livestock sector. Support may be available through the Single Farm Payment, Less Favoured Area Support Scheme and the Scotland Rural Development Programme.</p> <p >In view of the particul…
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support Scotland’s meat processing sector.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The development of the sector is a commercial matter for individual businesses. However, support of £60 million is available over six years (2008-13) to businesses in the agriculture processing industry – including the meat sector - through the Food Processin…
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to protect the jobs of those working in Scotland’s meat industry following Vion’s takeover of the Grampian Country Food Group.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The First Minister met with Peter Barr, Chairman of Vion UK, and Daan van Doorn, Vion’s Chief Executive Officer, on 3 July 2008 and discussed a range of actions on which to build a constructive relationship going forward.</p>
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings it has held with Vion to discuss the company’s future plans for Scotland.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: First Minister met Mr Peter Barr, Chairman of Vion UK, and Daan van Doorn, Vion’s Chief Executive Officer, on 3rd July to discuss a range of issues relating to Vion’s takeover of the Grampian Country Food Group.</p>
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has held with (a) Vion and (b) the Grampian Country Food Group regarding Vion’s takeover of the group and when these discussions were held.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The First Minister met Mr Peter Barr, Chairman of Vion UK, and Daan van Doorn, Vion’s Chief Executive Officer, on 3 July 2008 to discuss a range of issues relating to Vion’s takeover of the Grampian Country Food Group.</p>
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is still committed to the SNP’s manifesto commitment to introduce a policy of “one in, one out” for new regulations.
Answer · Jim Mather: It is only right and proper that those who are most affected by business regulations should have some say in how they are implemented. The Regulatory Review Group (RRG), which comprises representatives of the main business organisations, unanimously took the …
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to lighten the regulatory burden on the agricultural industry.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The new integrated delivery service SEARS - Scotland’s Environmental and Rural Services - launched on 20 June 2008 will cut red tape and bureaucratic burdens for farmers and other rural land managers and result in:</p> <p >almost 2,000 fewer inspections to …
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many regulations have been repealed since May 2007, broken down by ministerial portfolio.
Answer · Bruce Crawford: The information is not held centrally. Details of all Scottish Statutory Instruments are published on the Office of Public Sector Information website.</p> <p >The Scottish Government is determined to ensure effective regulation in Scotland while minimising t…
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many new regulations have come into force since May 2007, broken down by ministerial portfolio.
Answer · Bruce Crawford: The information is not held centrally. Details of all Scottish Statutory Instruments are published on the Office of Public Sector Information website.</p> <p >The Scottish Government is determined to ensure effective regulation in Scotland while minimising t…
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much extra money will be available for livestock producers through coupled payments under the European Commission’s CAP Health Check proposals.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The European Commission’s proposals for the Health Check of the Common Agricultural Policy intend to reduce coupled payments and continue the process of decoupling payments from production. We are currently consulting on Scotland’s response.</p>
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact of the European Commission’s CAP Health Check proposals will have on the budget for the Scottish Beef Calf Scheme.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Beef Calf Scheme (worth about £18 million per year) is funded through the national envelope. The current European Commission Health Check proposals impose a limit of 2.5% of the national ceiling on certain national envelope options - for the UK,…
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has held with the Norwegian and Icelandic governments to determine fisheries management in the North Atlantic.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: We engage in the annual consultation process with Norway, Iceland, Faroes and other countries to determine future fishing opportunities for the Scottish fleet. Those consultations are preceded by regular contact between the various governments to exchange vie…
13 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to introduce the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government expects to introduce the Bill in September 2008.</p>