Parliamentary questions
Phil Gallie
528 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
17 Sep 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to questions S2W-2309 and S2W-2310 by Mr Jim Wallace on 9 September 2003, what the impact of the ending of Scottish hallmarking would be on local communities.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The UK Government does not supportthe draft EU directive on hallmarking currently being negotiated. The draft directivedoes not call for the ending of hallmarking, it would make hallmarking one ofthree options available. It would be inappropriate to speculate…
17 Sep 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what public expenditure has been incurred and committed in preparation for possible entry into the European common currency.
Answer · Andy Kerr: the Scottish Executive has included and will continue to include euro compatibilityas part of new or upgraded IT systems. This is in line with the Prime Minister’sstatement of February 1999. Euro compatibility can be incorporated into new or upgradedIT system…
8 Sep 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) total output of electricity generated and (b) total level of electricity consumed for each of the years 1990 to 2000.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: In Scotland in2000, 49,499 GigaWatt Hours (GwH) of electricity was generated and 33,807 GwHwas consumed. Comparable information for earlier years is not available.</p>
8 Sep 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of energy was generated by nuclear power plants in (a) 1990 and (b) 2000 and what information it has on how this compared with the rest of the United Kingdom.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: In 2000, 34.2% of electricitygenerated in Scotland came from nuclear power. Comparable information for earlieryears is not available. Information on electricity generated in the United Kingdomis available at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/…
8 Sep 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of carbon emissions was in 1990 in Scotland and what information it has on how this compares with the United Kingdom as a whole.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I referthe member to the answer given to question S2W-2476 today. 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/search_wa"…
8 Sep 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how the percentage fall in carbon emissions between 1990 and 2000 compares with the percentage fall in the United Kingdom as a whole.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The informationrequested is available in the publication <i>Greenhouse Gas Inventories for </i><i>England</i><i>, </i><i>Scotland</i><i>, </i><i>Wales</i><i> and </i><i>Northern Ireland</i><i>: 1999-2000 </i>a copy of which has been placedin the Parliament’s …
1 Sep 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the proposed European directive on hallmarking will have on Scotland's image and economy.
Answer · Jim Wallace: A Regulatory ImpactAssessment will be carried out by the Department of Trade and Industry for thisreserved matter.</p>
1 Sep 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government in support of the retention of Scottish hallmarking.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive is inregular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues.</p>
18 Aug 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will cost to electronically tag a hedgehog removed from Uist and released on the mainland.
Answer · Allan Wilson: I understand from Scottish NaturalHeritage that electronic tagging equipment comprises two component parts: the electronictag and the receiver necessary to detect the signal. Various systems are available,however, the proposal submitted by Uist Hedgehog Rescu…
18 Aug 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Natural Heritage has instructed that all hedgehogs removed from Uist must be electronically tagged prior to their release on the mainland and, if so, what the Executive's position is on this matter.
Answer · Allan Wilson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-2092 today, I understand that Scottish NaturalHeritage (SNH) is currently in discussion with scientific representatives ofUist Hedgehog Rescue (UHR) and other welfare interest groups to discuss thedesign …
18 Aug 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding will be made available to Uist hedgehog rescue volunteers to meet any requirement by Scottish Natural Heritage to electronically tag any hedgehogs removed from the island.
Answer · Allan Wilson: I understand that ScottishNatural Heritage is currently in discussions with scientific representatives ofUist Hedgehog Rescue (UHR) and other welfare organisations to discuss thedesign and implementation of a trial translocation in spring 2004. Thisdiscussion…
25 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether persons convicted of murder or culpable homicide who seek compensation in respect of their treatment in prison are entitled to be granted legal aid and, if so, whether there is any limit on the amount of legal aid granted to them, and, if there is such an entitlement, in how many…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: A solicitor may grant advice and assistance under the legal aid scheme if the matter is one of Scots law and the client meets the financial eligibility test. In general, a solicitor must work within an initial cost ceiling of £80; if however, the case is like…
22 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken, or will take, to amend legislation to widen the prescription authorisation for veterinary medicines or to seek a derogation of article 67 of the EU veterinary medicines directive (EC/2001/82).
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-1620 today. 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/search…
22 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has taken on whether it will be legal for the public to purchase, and use, veterinary products obtained in other European Union countries, such as France, where prescription practice differs.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Current legislation prohibits the administration, or import for the purpose of administration, to an animal of a veterinary medicinal product unless it is the subject of a marketing authorisation valid in the UK. There are no proposals to change the applicati…
22 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether implementation of the proposed changes to the EU veterinary medicines directive (EC/2001/82) will prevent the public from accessing pet medicines, such as worming tablets, through high street pet shops.
Answer · Ross Finnie: This is a reserved matter, however as the amendment to Directive 2001/82/EC relates to food producing animals it will not affect the accessibility through pet shops of certain veterinary medicinal products.
22 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether implementation of the proposed changes to the EU veterinary medicines directive (EC/2001/82) will remove the right of farmers to use, without a veterinary prescription, any medicinal product obtained within Scotland and, if so, what the effect will be on animal welfare given curre…
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-1620 today. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility forwhich can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa…
22 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government and the National Farmers Union Scotland regarding the implementation of the proposed changes to the EU veterinary medicines directive (EC/2001/82).
Answer · Ross Finnie: You will be aware that veterinary medicines legislation is a reserved issue. Notwithstanding this, where new policies would have implications for Scottish farmers, my officials bring these to the attention of colleagues in Department for Environment, Food and…
21 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will amend the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 to remove the requirement for GPs to make declarations on their patients' ability to make personal decisions and, if so, what the timetable is for removing this requirement and what its position is on the statement in an…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive's consultation on the review of the code of practice that accompanies part 5 concluded on 30 June. We are currently analysing the responses. The Executive has also recently commissioned research into issues raised by the implementation of part 5…
21 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has been offered by Her Majesty's Government's Department of Health regarding the operation of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The subject matter of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 falls within devolved competence, and the Executive has therefore not received any advice from Department of Health.
21 Jul 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what contact it has had with Her Majesty's Government's Department of Health regarding the operation of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: There have been discussions between the Executive and Department of Health about the impact which the EU Clinical Trials Directive (2001/20/EC) may have on the research provisions of part 5 of the act.
30 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities that do not provide financial support for people responsible for the care of their grandchildren are in breach of the (a) European Convention on Human Rights and (b) Children (Scotland) Act 1995.
Answer · Euan Robson: No. Local authorities have a discretionary power, not a duty, to pay allowances and do so based on individual circumstances and local needs.
30 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities provide a financial support scheme for people responsible for the care of their grandchildren.
Answer · Euan Robson: We do not hold this information centrally.
30 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has received about the outcome of a complaint considered by the Highland Council's Complaints Review Committee in August 2002 in respect of entitlement of people who provide foster care for their grandchildren to maintenance allowance.
Answer · Euan Robson: The Scottish Executive has been provided with background to the case by Highland Council. The Fostering of Children (Scotland) Regulations 1996 and accompanying guidance give local authorities the discretion to decide what allowances to pay in line with local…
27 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-888 by Allan Wilson on 25 June 2003, what the cost was of the Uist Wader Project.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Uist Wader Project (UWP) was formed in April 2000 as a partnership of Scottish Natural Heritage, RSPB Scotland and the Scottish Executive. The costs incurred during the initial three-year period, ending in March 2003 were £261,000. This is well within the…
18 Jun 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what precise steps it is taking as central authority under the Hague Convention in Scotland to support the Scottish mother and her attorney in the United States of America in the child abduction case Fawcett v McRoberts, and what further action is planned.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish ministers transmitted to the United States the application for the child's return to Scotland; supplied the necessary factual information and documentary evidence to support it; provided relevant information about Scots law in connection with the…
17 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Natural Heritage's Uist Wader Project has involved using dogs for hunting hedgehogs.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The use of dogs for the exclusive purpose of locating hedgehogs was trialled on North Uist this year by the Uist Wader Project, a partnership comprising Scottish Natural Heritage, the RSPB and the Scottish Executive. The dogs were accompanied by trained handl…
17 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost has been to Scottish Natural Heritage of the cull on the Uists and Benbecula.
Answer · Allan Wilson: This is a matter for Scottish Natural Heritage. The Information requested is not held centrally.
17 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many hedgehogs have been culled as a result of Scottish Natural Heritage activity on the Uists and Benbecula.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Sixty-six hedgehogs were culled on North Uist between 7 April and 23 May 2003.
17 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what short-term costs will arise from dissolving NHS trusts and setting up (a) general hospital and (b) community health divisions, as referred to at the public meeting of Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board on 4 June 2003
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-882. 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/search_wa">h…
17 Jun 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial savings will result from dissolving NHS trusts and setting up (a) general hospital and (b) community health divisions, as referred to at the public meeting of Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board on 4 June 2003.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-882 on 14 July 2003. 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…