Parliamentary questions
Robin Harper
759 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
17 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers intend to introduce teaching practice with deaf pupils to the minimum list of competencies that trainee teachers of the deaf have to meet under the new alternative training route which was introduced in February 2007.
Answer · Adam Ingram: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11956 on 30 April 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…
17 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers intend to ensure that teachers working wholly or mainly with deaf pupils who use British Sign Language (BSL) as their main method of communication are qualified to BSL level 3 as a minimum standard.
Answer · Adam Ingram: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11960 on 30 April 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…
17 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers consider British Sign Language level 1 to be a suitable communication standard for teachers working wholly or mainly with deaf children for the purposes of communicating the entire school curriculum.
Answer · Adam Ingram: The Requirements for Teachers (Scotland) Regulations 2005 which came into force on 30 September 2005 state that every education authority shall employ adequate numbers of teachers in the schools under their management, with the appropriate professional skills…
17 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans ministers have to encourage more teaching professionals to train as professional teachers of the deaf.
Answer · Adam Ingram: We have no specific plans in this respect. The Scottish Executive is committed to ensuring that teachers have access to relevant and high-quality continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities in all areas of education.</p>
17 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how ministers will monitor the impact on the attainment of deaf pupils of the alternative training route for teachers working wholly or mainly with deaf pupils, introduced in February 2007,.
Answer · Adam Ingram: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11956 on 30 April 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…
17 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how ministers will monitor the impact on the teachers of the deaf workforce of the alternative training route for teachers working wholly or mainly with deaf pupils, introduced in February 2007.
Answer · Adam Ingram: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11956 on 30 April 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…
17 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with COSLA regarding the alternative training route for teachers working wholly or mainly with deaf pupils which was introduced in February 2007.
Answer · Adam Ingram: In 2007 the Scottish Executive published guidance as to what shall constitute appropriate qualifications for teachers of children and young persons who have a hearing impairment, or visual impairment, or both hearing and visual impairment. The qualification i…
28 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on how many days a week over the last reporting period each of Strathclyde Police’s wildlife crime officers have worked specifically on wildlife crime.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This information is not held centrally.</p>
28 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many of Strathclyde Police’s wildlife crime officers are employed to deal with wildlife crime on a full-time basis.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Strathclyde Police has one full-time wildlife crime officer.</p> <p >The deployment of personnel to undertake wildlife crime duties is an operational matter for chief constables.</p>
28 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many of Strathclyde Police’s wildlife crime officers have received training specific to wildlife crime.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: All Strathclyde Police''s wildlife crime officers are trained in Wildlife Crime Investigation and receive continuous training throughout each year.</p>
17 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what licences will be issued to cover the sparrowhawk trapping and relocation project; under what legislation they will be issued, and how such licences will be publicised.
Answer · Michael Russell: The sparrowhawk trapping and relocation project has been postponed until after the 2008 breeding season. Licences for the project will be required under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is not normal practice to publicise the issue of i…
17 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received on the compatibility of the sparrowhawk trapping and relocation project with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources’ guidelines on reintroduction and translocation.
Answer · Michael Russell: The sparrowhawk trapping and relocation project has been postponed until after the 2008 breeding season. The Scottish Government takes the view that the sparrowhawk trapping and relocation project is outwith the scope of the International Union for the Conser…
13 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the findings have been of the most recent scientific research presented to Scottish Ministers on sparrowhawk trapping and relocation and by whom such research was carried out.
Answer · Michael Russell: Scottish ministers are not aware of any scientific research findings on sparrowhawk trapping and relocation.</p>
13 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the nature was of the legal advice provided by Scottish Natural Heritage in respect of the sparrowhawk trapping and relocation project established following the announcement by the Minister for Environment on 16 November 2007.
Answer · Michael Russell: Scottish Natural Heritage provides ecological advice to Scottish ministers. Scottish ministers receive legal advice from the Scottish Government legal directorate.</p>
13 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to trials of loft-based measures as alternatives to the sparrowhawk trapping and relocation project established following the announcement by the Minister for Environment on 16 November 2007.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10994 on 15 April 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/webap…
13 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what external oversight has been incorporated into the sparrowhawk trapping and relocation project established following the announcement by the Minister for Environment on 16 November 2007.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10994 on 15 April. 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/wa.s…
13 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive who is funding the sparrowhawk trapping and relocation project established following the announcement by the Minister for Environment on 16 November 2007.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10994 on 15 April 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/webap…
13 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the sparrowhawk trapping and relocation project, established following the announcement by the Minister for Environment on 16 November 2007, will take place during the sparrowhawk breeding season.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10994 on 15 April 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/webap…
13 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive in what areas the sparrowhawk trapping and relocation project, established following the announcement by the Minister for Environment on 16 November 2007, will take place.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10994 on 15 April 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/webap…
13 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the sparrowhawk trapping and relocation project, established following the announcement by the Minister for Environment on 16 November 2007, has commenced and, if so, on what date.
Answer · Michael Russell: It was not possible to finalise arrangements for the sparrowhawk trapping and relocation research project planned for this spring. It was evident that there would have been an inadequate period for the project to collect results before there would have been a…
3 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it will make to the UK Government about the provision of sub-post offices on university campuses.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10642 on 12 March 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…
3 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the benefits of the sub-post office network in local areas where there are high concentrations of international visitors and students.
Answer · John Swinney: Post Office locations are a matter for Post Office Ltd. The Royal Mail Group advise that every post office is treated equally regardless of its location.</p>
3 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated to Scottish Enterprise to support the business development of sub-post offices in 2008 and how this compares with funding for the previous five years.
Answer · Jim Mather: There has been no funding allocated to Scottish Enterprise in 2008, nor in the previous five years, to provide business development support specifically to sub-post office businesses.</p>
3 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what work is being undertaken by Scottish Enterprise to support the business development of sub-post offices.
Answer · Jim Mather: Communities Scotland''s £250,000 Scottish Business Improvement Training for Sub-postmasters (SBITS) programme, which closed in 2007, was aimed to increase the business skills of sub-postmasters in deprived urban and rural areas. The programme also helped to b…
25 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what advice ministers received from Scottish Natural Heritage in relation to the 23rd Oil and Gas Licensing Round Block 17/7 (North Sea, Northern Area).
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The regulation of oil and gas exploration is a function reserved to the Secretary of State.</p> <p >I understand that Scottish Natural Heritage were consulted on the Strategic Environmental Assessment for the wider 23rd Oil and Gas Licensing Round, and subs…
25 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether an appropriate assessment was carried out in relation to the 23rd Oil and Gas Licensing Round Block 17/7 (North Sea, Northern Area).
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The regulation of oil and gas exploration is a is a function reserved to the Secretary of State.</p> <p >I understand from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform that an Appropriate Assessment was not undertaken for Block 17/7 before …
25 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the statutory role of Scottish Natural Heritage is in advising the UK Government with regard to natural heritage and impacts on European wildlife sites arising from proposed consents, operations or other matters for which responsibility is reserved under the Scotland Act 1998.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9971 on 26 February 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/webap…
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to resolve concerns over appropriate asessments by competent authorities that cannot be directed by Scottish Ministers under Regulation 48A of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 as amended.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended) require competent authorities to consult and have regard to any representations made by the appropriate nature conservation body for the purposes of appropriate assessment. Scottish Na…
18 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to respond to the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform’s consultation on its appropriate assessment of the 24th Oil and Gas Licensing Round Block 17/3 (Inner Moray Firth) in relation to European wildlife sites in the surrounding area.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The regulation of oil and gas exploration is a function reserved to the Secretary of State.</p> <p >Scottish Natural Heritage, as the appropriate nature conservation body under the Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001 (a…
8 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that those civil servants who make decisions regarding the Disqualified from Working with Children List and those who will work for the Central Barring Unit have the requisite knowledge, skills and experience to ensure that correct judgments about risk are made.
Answer · Adam Ingram: Decisions about listing on the Disqualified from Working with Children List (DWCL) are taken on behalf of Scottish ministers by a panel of civil servants. Each panel comprises a chair who is a senior civil servant with responsibility for the development of po…