Robin Harper

22 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the first policy and financial management review of Architecture and Design Scotland will be undertaken and what the terms will be of this review.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that each public body is subject to a policy and financial management review at least once every five years. Architecture and Design Scotland started operating on 1 April 2005 and this first review of its activ…

3 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15202 by Stewart Stevenson on 31 July 2008, whether it will list the titles of interventions proposed by Tactrans for consideration as part of the strategic transport projects review. 

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The interventions proposed by Tactrans for consideration as part of the strategic transport projects review formed one source of such interventions. A wide range of interventions were proposed by various sources: duplicate or complementary interventions were…

22 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the reason is for the asymmetric attitude to the landing of tope from the Solway Firth, where it is legal on the Scottish side and illegal on the English side.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Legislation on the English side of the Solway Firth is a matter for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.</p> <p >Landings of tope by Scottish vessels are at a very low level, totalling 12 tonnes since 2000. Therefore the Scottish Governmen…

22 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the Scottish Government has had with Her Majesty’s Government on the landing of tope from the Solway Firth.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: There have been no discussions with Her Majesty''s Government on the landing of tope from the Solway Firth.</p>

13 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed the impact of the 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.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government recognises the interaction between set-aside and certain aspects of the EU Water Framework Directive. In particular, buffer areas, especially next to water courses, offer benefits both for wildlife and for water quality. As a provision…

13 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the Scottish Rural Development Programme has sufficient funding to incorporate any additional objectives.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) was developed with significant input from stakeholders and was approved in February 2008. The objectives of the programme are consistent with the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-13 Rural Development St…

13 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the removal of set-aside could lead to environmental deterioration on farmed land.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Potentially, yes. The Scottish Government recognises that, although set-aside was introduced as a supply control mechanism, it brought environmental benefits. It is currently consulting about measures that should be taken to maintain these benefits.</p>

13 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that one of the functions of good agricultural and environmental condition standards is to prevent environmental deterioration on farmed land.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Yes. Amongst the measures which comprise good agricultural and environmental condition are several relating to a minimum level of maintenance. These include protecting rough grazings and other semi-natural areas, protecting field boundaries and designated his…

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 commissioned by the Scottish Government shows that approximately 75% of land that was left out of production in Scotland as set-aside in …

Answer · Richard Lochhead: In addition to commissioning the study referred to in the question, the Scottish Government is seeking views on measures that should be taken to maintain the environmental benefits of set-aside.</p>

6 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether problems with the application of Aminopyralid herbicides to vegetation that ends up in compost and the consequent damage to gardens and crops in allotments have been brought to its attention and, if so, what action it will take take to address the situation.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: We are aware that these problems have been reported. The relevant manufacturer, Dow AgroSciences Ltd, has indicated that, as a precaution, it is withdrawing from sale products which contain aminopyralid. In addition, the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) ha…

4 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the UK Government’s stated support for the proposal that arable farmers be required to manage a small percentage of their land primarily for environmental purposes, what options it is considering to maintain or replace the environmental benefits of set-aside and whether it con…

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government are aware of 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 Scotland…

4 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what environmental benefits it considers have been delivered by set-aside, including benefits to farmland bird and other biodiversity, water quality and public access.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: It is difficult to quantify the environmental benefits that have been delivered as a consequence of set-aside. They can vary greatly, depending on how the set-aside land is managed. Benefits can include the creation of suitable habitats for wildlife, particul…

4 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it shares the concern expressed by the European Commission about the environmental benefits which have been delivered by set-aside, and when it will announce the detail of the measures it will introduce to safeguard those benefits.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government welcome the environmental benefits that have been delivered as a consequence of set-aside. Our consultation paper <i >Future implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy in </i><i >Scotland</i> invites views on measures that shou…

24 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what actions have been submitted to Transport Scotland by Tactrans to be considered for inclusion in the strategic transport projects review.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The strategic transport projects review (STPR) has considered a range of proposals from various sources including the seven regional transport partnerships. These partnerships have been involved individually and collectively in developing the STPR.</p> <p >T…

16 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, if Marine Scotland is to be part of the Scottish Government, whether its advice to ministers will be published and how it will operate transparently.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: We have yet to decide on the appropriate status for Marine Scotland and its detailed governance arrangements. It will be important for it to be seen to operate openly and transparently although also to ensure it can do so efficiently and effectively including…

16 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to implement the provisions of the EU marine strategy framework directive, in particular for planning at a regional seas scale, and how it is co-ordinating these with the UK Government and other EU member states.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Discussion is ongoing with the UK Government about the most appropriate way to transpose and implement the marine strategy framework directive. Our current Scottish marine bill consultation <i >Sustainable Seas for All</i>, <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk…

16 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will report the outcome of the Joint Ministerial Committee meeting held on 25 June 2008 and, in particular, whether any agreement was reached about better co-ordination of UK and Scottish marine legislation.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3F-947 on 26 June 2008. First Minister questions can be found at:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-08/sor0626-02.htm#Col10250">http://www.scottish.…

30 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive by what percentage Scottish fishing capacity has been reduced since 1998.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Between 31 December 1998 and 31 December 2007 (provisional figures), the number of active Scottish based fishing vessels fell from 2,631 to 2,191, a decrease of 17 per cent. The power of Scottish vessels fell from 445,146 kW to 401,402 kW, a decrease of 10 pe…

30 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many real-time closures of cod fishing grounds took place from October 2007 to June 2008; for how many days each such closure was in operation; how many Scottish fishing boats were affected, and which fishing grounds were the subject of such closures.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: To date a total of 14 Real-Time Area Closures have taken place, with each closure valid for a period of 21 days. It is difficult to predict how many vessels would have intended fishing in an area that was subsequently closed, though the closed areas, in total…

9 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to limit and clean up the recent oil spill from the Beatrice Alpha platform and what observable degree of success has been achieved by such measures so far.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The initial clean up of oil coming ashore as a consequence of the spill in question was co-ordinated by the Highland Council. However when it was established that the oil had come from Beatrice Alpha platform, Talisman Energy (UK) Ltd took over responsibility…

9 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what work is being done to assess the damage done by the two recent oil spills from the Beatrice Alpha platform.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-14022 on 13 June 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/…

9 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures will be taken to ensure that oil spills will be avoided from the Beatrice Alpha platform in future.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-14022 on 13 June 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/…

9 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what work is being done to establish the cause and exact volume of the recent oil spills from Talisman Energy (UK) Ltd’s Beatrice Alpha platform.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Under the Scotland Act 1998, matters relating to oil and gas, including offshore installations and pipelines, are reserved. However, I understand that in response to two recent incidents involving the discharge of crude oil in produced water from the Beatrice…

3 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any formal or voluntary agreement with local authorities in respect of targets for 2010, 2013 and 2020 limiting the amount of municipal waste used for generating energy.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: No such agreements exist. However, in my statement to parliament on the 24 January I made it quite clear that I would apply a 25% cap on the amount of municipal waste sent to energy-from-waste facilities and that this cap would be incorporated, in due course,…

3 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what sanctions will be imposed on local authorities if they exceed targets set for the maximum amount of incineration of biological municipal waste in 2010, 2013 and 2020.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: We are working in partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and individual local authorities to achieve shared policy aims. As I have indicated, we will include our 25% limit for energy from waste technologies for treating municipal waste …

3 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to ensure that local authorities do not exceed targets set for the maximum amount of incineration of biological municipal waste in 2010, 2013 and 2020.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: We intend to include our 25% limit for energy from waste technologies for treating municipal waste by 2025 in the National Planning Framework, at both a national and regional level.</p>

28 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in setting policy targets in the Scottish Forestry Strategy or elsewhere for planting forests, it has undertaken a strategic environmental assessment; if so, whether it has included an assessment of the impacts on migrating fish such as salmon, the desirability of protecting peat…

Answer · Michael Russell: Strategic Environmental Assessment was carried out for the preparation of the Scottish Forestry Strategy, including the woodland expansion aspiration further details are available at <a href="http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-6c3dj8" title="http:/www.f…

8 May 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate has been made of the amount of additional climate-changing pollution, in tonnes of CO2, from increased air traffic as a result of the proposed expansions of Glasgow and Edinburgh airports.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Emissions Cost Assessment which the UK Government is carrying out this year will allow the social cost of UK aviation''s climate change emissions (not just CO₂emissions) to be considered against the extent to which the sector covers that cost.…

18 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to provide extra protection for Scottish bees against disease and, in particular, to expedite approval of treatments such as Apivar and oxalic acid; whether it has identified any enhanced funding for such protection, and whether any other specific assistance to …

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The approval of veterinary medicines, including those for the treatment of bee pests and diseases, is a reserved matter.</p> <p >Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture provides a free diagnostic service to beekeepers who suspect that their hives may be …

17 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the number of fully qualified teachers of the deaf currently working in schools.

Answer · Adam Ingram: It is for local authorities to ensure that they have the appropriate number of fully qualified teachers of the deaf currently working in schools.</p>