Robin Harper

25 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authorities with coastal boundaries have oil pollution contingency plans and whether these plans specifically address an incident of the scale of the sinking of the Prestige off Spain on 19 November 2002.

Answer · Allan Wilson: All Scottish coastal local authorities maintain counter pollution contingency plans in line with a general power under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 with respect to emergencies or disasters. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), as the responsi…

25 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) types and (b) amounts of oil (i) single-hulled and (ii) other tankers have carried in Scottish waters in each year since 1999.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-31930 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/sear…

25 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what routes (a) single-hulled and (b) other oil tankers have taken through Scottish waters in each year since 1999.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive has no functions in relation to the monitoring of shipping in Scottish waters. Information about routes used by such vessels in Scottish waters falls within the reserved responsibilities of the Department for Transport and Maritime and …

25 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) single-hulled and (b) other oil tankers operated in Scottish waters in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-31930 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/sear…

25 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many journeys (a) single-hulled and (b) other oil tankers have made in Scottish waters in each year since 1999.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The information requested is not held by either the Scottish Executive or the Department for Transport, which has responsibility for shipping policy, a reserved issue. <P>Statistics are available on the numbers of tankers which arrive at Scottish ports from o…

21 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures it, or Scottish Natural Heritage, will adopt to determine the likely effectiveness of the legal agreement proposed by Scottish Natural Heritage to protect the population of bog bush-crickets at Acheninnes landfill site, Dalbeattie; how the results of any public consultati…

Answer · Margaret Curran: It is intended that the legal agreement will cover a management plan for the site and the adjacent land as requested by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in order to assist in sustaining the bog bush-cricket population at the Aucheninnes site. The effectiveness…

21 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the legal agreement proposed by Scottish Natural Heritage to protect the population of bog bush-crickets at Acheninnes landfill site, Dalbeattie, will be subject to public consultation before it is entered into and whether such an agreement requires the Executive's approval.

Answer · Margaret Curran: The content of the proposed legal agreement would generally be a matter for the signatories, who in the case of the Aucheninnes development would be Dumfries and Galloway Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and the applicant. There would not be a public consul…

21 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures it will use to determine the planning application to allow and extend the waste disposal facility and to construct a leachate treatment plant at Acheninnes landfill site, Dalbeattie, and how it will receive and consider representations concerning Scottish Natural Heritage…

Answer · Margaret Curran: The planning application for an extension to the Aucheninnes site was notified to the Scottish ministers on 27 November by Dumfries and Galloway Council. It will now be assessed in the context of the statutory development plan and relevant national planning p…

21 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its policies are for the protection of rare invertebrate fauna, particularly in relation to development proposals likely to lead to national or local extinction of a species.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Scottish ministers place much reliance on working with landowners and managers of land containing invertebrate species as an important aspect of their protection. Many of the threats to such species can be the absence of key features of their habitats so land…

21 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any sites on which bog bush-crickets have been recorded have been designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest or receive protection under any other national or international legislation and, if no such sites have been designated, what directions or guidance it has provided …

Answer · Allan Wilson: During the 1960s the bog bush-cricket was recorded at Raeburn Flow, a SSSI/cSAC. This is the only record on any SSSI in Scotland. The guidelines for the selection of a biological SSSI specify a number of criteria under which invertebrates may be "qualifying f…

21 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on how many sites in Scotland the bog bush-cricket has been recorded; where these sites are located, and what policies are in place, in both national or local biodiversity action plans, to secure its conservation.

Answer · Allan Wilson: There are two known sites for <I>Metrioptera brachyptera</I> (the bog bush-cricket) in Scotland. This species has been recorded in 2002 at Aucheninnes Moss/Little Cloak near Dalbeattie. There is also a record from the 1960s, for Raeburn Flow a SSSI/cSAC, near…

8 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average annual spend per capita on learning disability services is in Scotland as compared with levels of such spend in England and Wales.

Answer · Frank McAveety: The last available information on this, as set out in May 2000 in <I>The same as you?</I> was that health and local authorities in England spent £59 each year on learning disability services for every person in the population, authorities in Wales spent £63, …

8 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it holds any information on local authorities' use of Learning Disability Services Change Fund monies and, if so, when such information will be published.

Answer · Frank McAveety: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-31136 on 13 November 2002. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:<P><A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliamen…

8 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider withholding Learning Disability Services Change Fund monies from any local authorities that do not implement the commitments contained in the Partnership in Practice agreements.

Answer · Frank McAveety: No. We are working in partnership with COSLA and local agencies to ensure resources are utilised to deliver better outcomes for people with learning disabilities and their families.

8 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what incentives there are for local authorities and NHS boards to implement the recommendations set out in The same as you? and what action will be taken if they do not do so.

Answer · Frank McAveety: The incentive to implement the recommendations of <I>The same as you? </I>is the achievement of better outcomes for people with learning disabilities and their families. Partnership in Practice Agreements for the period 2001-04 show that local agencies are ma…

8 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what emergency planning measures have been put in place for incidents involving nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed submarines and ships and whether it will make details of any such measures publicly available.

Answer · Richard Simpson: I can confirm that there are thoroughly tested plans in place to deal with safety issues in respect of submarines operating around the coastal waters of Scotland. The Clyde Public Safety Scheme and the Rosyth Public Safety Scheme are the two most significant …

7 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make available any economic assessments carried out on the proposed western peripheral route around Aberdeen, including assessments by enterprise companies.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral route is being promoted by Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council and the other NESTRANS partners. NESTRANS has commissioned STAG (Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance) appraisal of the route that incorporate…

6 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any local authorities have been approached by British Energy to request deferment of payment of its business rates for the operation of its nuclear power stations or other facilities; if so, which local authorities are considering, or have agreed, to defer these rates, and what th…

Answer · Peter Peacock: This is a matter for the local authorities concerned.

10 Oct 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in discussions with the voluntary sector on funding under section 9 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Applications for funding under section 9 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 have now been received and are currently under consideration. Funding decisions will be announced by 31 December 2002.<P>Discussions have been held with voluntary organisations wh…

10 Oct 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any recent eviction from a chalet on the Drimsynie Estate near Lochgoilhead and, if so, what its response is.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Executive is aware of developments on this estate, but it would not be appropriate to comment on any related civil action.

10 Oct 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its proposals in the light of the responses to its Consultation Paper on possible legislation to provide greater protection for hutters in Scotland.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Consideration of the consultative response has confirmed substantial drawbacks to any attempt to legislate in this area. Legislation would be contrary to the fundamental principles of Scots law, in particular that leased land under a short lease reverts to th…

10 Oct 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it has of badger baiting teams operating in the south of Scotland; whether there has been any increase in badger baiting over the last 10 years and, if so, whether there is any evidence to suggest that the existing legislative powers are inadequate to tackle this issue; what…

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive has no evidence to suggest that badger baiting teams are operating in the south of Scotland, nor have they received information about any increases in this type of activity occurring in Scotland over the last 10 years. <P>Scottish minis…

2 Oct 2002 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Sub-committee on Sustainable Scotland last met and what matters were discussed.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Cabinet Sub-Committee on Sustainable Scotland last met on 2 October, when it discussed the Spending Review and sustainable development; the recent Johannesburg World Summit; the sub-committee's annual report to Cabinet, and progress on a number of other i…

30 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consult universities and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council about resolving any problems with the cost of safely storing and disposing of radioactive material used in university research.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive is considering this issue with representatives of higher education institutions.

25 Sep 2002 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received on whether fluoridation of drinking water supplies, as considered in Towards Better Oral Health in Children, would be in contravention of any European Union law.

Answer · Mary Mulligan: Questions relating to compliance with European Union Law could only be properly tested against a specific legislative proposition or fluoridation scheme. <I>Towards Better Oral Health in Children</I> contains no such proposal.

10 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what environmental considerations were taken into account when furnishing its new Environment and Rural Affairs Department offices in Perth.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive placed particular emphasis on environmental considerations when awarding the contract for the installation of internal furnishings and fittings in the new office building in Perth. The suppliers are committed to correct environmental practices, …

6 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how Forward Scotland reports its activities to it and the Parliament and how the body is held accountable.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with Forward Scotland and a representative from the Sustainable Development Team attends board meetings as an observer. The Auditor General for Scotland may carry out an examination of Forward Scotland under sectio…

6 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive under what legislative power or otherwise Forward Scotland was established.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Forward Scotland is a company limited by guarantee (company number 232302) established under the Companies Acts 1985 and 1989. The Scottish Executive provides development funding for Forward Scotland through the Sustainable Action Fund, under the powers provi…

6 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance or direction it gives to Forward Scotland in relation to that body's operations.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Forward Scotland are required to submit a draft corporate plan covering the year ahead to the Scottish Executive by the end of April each year.<P>The plan is required to set out:<P>Forward Scotland's key objectives and associated key performance targets for t…

6 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who appoints the board members of Forward Scotland and what the selection criteria are.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Chairperson of Forward Scotland is appointed by the Scottish ministers, and the directors are appointed by the chairperson. Current board members have a wide range of backgrounds and interests in sustainable development. Further details can be found on th…