Questions · Peter Peacock

26 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the number of school children with an assessed additional support need is growing year on year.

Answer · Maureen Watt: The number of children with a co-ordinated support plan, an individualised educational programme and/or with provision levels set with a record of needs pre-dating the implementation of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 in ma…

26 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authority spending on services for adults with learning disabilities has been growing in each of the past eight years in (a) Scotland and (b) each local authority area.

Answer · Shona Robison: A table showing net revenue expenditure by local authorities on adults with learning disabilities from 2002-03 to 2007-08 has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 46536). This shows that spending has been growing in each of t…

26 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to legislate on matters concerning the support of adults with learning disabilities.

Answer · Shona Robison: There are currently no plans for legislation concerning the support of adults with learning disabilities. The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007, which comes into force on 29 October 2008, is relevant to the support of some of adults wi…

26 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the adequacy of services for adults with learning disabilities across Scotland.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15772 on 17 September 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/w…

26 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the levels of service offered in different parts of Scotland to adults with learning disabilities are adequate in all cases.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15772 on 17 September 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/w…

26 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that support services for adults with learning disabilities are adequate across Scotland.

Answer · Shona Robison: Under the Scottish Government''s new relationship with local authorities, services will be monitored on the outcomes they deliver for people as demonstrated through the single outcome agreement process and through statutory inspection agencies. There…

13 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it intends to take to counteract any loss of habitat for a range of declining wildlife as a consequence of a reducing acreage of set-aside land.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: We will take a decision on appropriate measures in the light of the responses to our consultation on the Future Implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy in Scotland, views from our CAP health check stakeholder group and the outcome of the EU-l…

13 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a scheme similar to that in England where farm subsidies will be only paid where farmers leave a part of their land for wildlife.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government are aware of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs'' preferred option to require arable farmers to manage a small percentage of their land primarily for environmental purposes. Whilst this is clearly an option for Scot…

13 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it intends to take to reverse the reduction in acreage of set-aside land.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: We will take a decision on appropriate measures in the light of the responses to our consultation on the Future Implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy in Scotland, views from our CAP health check stakeholder group and the outcome of the EU-l…

13 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what incentives it is putting in place to encourage farmers to manage a percentage of their land for environmental purposes.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The primary source of incentives and support is the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-13 (SRDP), worth £1.6 billion over the next seven years. This programme is intended to promote environmental, social and economic measures across the whole of rural …

13 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken to assess the environmental impact of the loss of set-aside, particularly on wildlife and water quality, given that research it has commissioned shows that 75% of land that was left out of production as set-aside in 2006-07 was sown for agricultural production b…

13 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed the impact of loss of set-aside on the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive and what measures it intends to take to ensure the provisions of the directive continue to be met.

11 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, during the last 15 months, the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change has taken advice on or considered (a) seeking expressions of interest in operating or (b) proceeding through public tender to secure offers to run a publicly subsidised ferry service between …

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There have been a number of discussions about a possible ferry service for Lochboisdale to Mallaig. Those discussions will continue to determine an option for a Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry service that is both affordable and acceptable to all the communitie…

11 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any domestic legal impediment or European Union regulation that would prevent a publicly subsidised ferry service being run by an operator other than CalMac Ferries Ltd between Lochboisdale and Mallaig.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There are no domestic legal impediments or European Union regulation that would prevent a publicly subsidised ferry service being run by an operator other than CalMac Ferries Ltd between Lochboisdale and Mallaig provided the subsidised ferry service was tende…

11 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when ministers expect to make a decision on the proposed new ferry route from Lochboisdale to Mallaig.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: St²ras Uibhist submitted a proposal for a Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry service on 21 July 2008. Following consideration of the proposal The Scottish Government wrote to St²ras Uibhist on 27 August 2008 seeking clarification on a number of the financ…

11 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current consultation in South Uist and Barra concerning ferry services is to determine demand for a Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry route or to seek an appropriate timetable for the new service.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15429 on 3 September 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/web…

11 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the status is of the community consultation underway in South Uist and Barra concerning ferry services and as set out recently by Councillor Manford of Western Isles Council.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15429 on 3 September 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/web…

11 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following a number of community initiatives to demonstrate support, it believes that a clear community demand is apparent for a new ferry service from Lochboisdale to Mallaig, serving South Uist and Barra.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: It is clear that there is support for a new ferry service between Lochboisdale and Mallaig serving South Uist from the communities of South Uist, what is not clear is the level of support for such a service also serving Barra from the Barra communities. That …

3 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-14505 by Linda Fabiani on 2 July 2008, whether, in light of the arrangements referred to, the Scottish Government will cease public commentary on issues which will, or could be, referred to the Joint Ministerial Committee for discussion and resolutio…

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Government will continue to treat all discussions regarding the Joint Ministerial Committee in accordance with the principles outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding.

3 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many small units there are within government departments which are eligible for relocation under the Small Units Initiative; what these units are, and how many jobs would be involved in any relocation.

Answer · John Swinney: Ministers remain committed to the Small Units Initiative. We will keep under ongoing review opportunities within the core Scottish Government and related bodies for the relocation of specific small units where it can be demonstrated that the benefits are comm…

3 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will welcome any bids from local authorities throughout the Highlands and Islands requesting that governmental jobs be relocated to their area.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government set out its new relocation policy on 29 January 2008. Relocation of specific bodies will be considered where it can be shown that there are operational benefits from doing so, that the costs of relocation can be afforded and that it wi…

3 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans for further public sector job relocations to the Highlands and Islands.

Answer · John Swinney: The possibility of such relocations will be kept under on-going review.

3 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many government jobs have been relocated to the Highlands and Islands since the beginning of 2007.

Answer · John Swinney: No Scottish Government posts have been relocated to the Highlands and Islands since the beginning of 2007.

3 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many governmental bodies have relocated to the Highlands and Islands since the beginning of 2007.

Answer · John Swinney: No governmental bodies have relocated to the Highlands and Islands since the beginning of 2007.

3 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the broadband reach contract recently awarded to Avanti Communications will include the delivery of an affordable broadband service to households in the Western Isles and, if not, whether there are any plans in place to deliver such a service to those who are currently served by e…

Answer · Jim Mather: The government’s Broadband Reach contract will not cover any part of the Western Isles. Provision of broadband to out of reach areas in the Western Isles is the responsibility of Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and will be deli…

3 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to expand the population of golden eagles into suitable areas where it does not presently have a foothold.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government is working with Scottish Natural Heritage to consider ways of expanding the population across Scotland, notably in the south of Scotland where the golden eagle is currently scarce. Reintroductions may be possible, but there are a numbe…

3 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to take any further action to ensure protection of the golden eagle population from all forms of persecution.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government will continue to pursue measures which will improve the conservation status of golden eagles. Scottish Natural Heritage is currently giving consideration to the identification of further special protection areas for golden eagles and w…

3 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it believes to be the reason for the decline of the golden eagle population on the east side of the Highlands.

Answer · Michael Russell: The report highlights two key constraints affecting golden eagle populations. In the eastern and central Highlands many tradionally occupied golden eagle territories now lie empty while others have a high turnover of breeding birds. The evidence shows that th…

3 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any concerns over the findings in the report, A Conservation Framework for Golden Eagles: implications for their conservation and Management in Scotland.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government is concerned about the findings contained in this report. The report concluded that the conservation status of golden eagle populations was favourable in only three of 16 regions where eagles have occupied territories since 1982. These…

25 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much public funding is budgeted for the Connected Communities project for 2008-09.

Answer · Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-14646 on 31 July 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/webapp/w…