Parliamentary questions
Tavish Scott
2,683 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
1 Jul 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the number of trees planted on non-national forest estate land since May 2011.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The number of trees planted on non-national forest estate land since May 2011 is 32,400,000 which include both new planting and restocking. This figure is based at an average stocking density of 2,000 trees per hectare.
1 Jul 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many trees have been planted in the national forest estate since May 2011.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The number of trees planted on the national forest estate since May 2011 is 23,000,000 which include both new planting and restocking. This figure is based at an average stocking density of 2,000 trees per hectare.
1 Jul 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making toward meeting its commitment to plant 100 million trees by 2015.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: In 2010, Scottish Ministers pledged to plant 100 million trees by 2015 as part of the Climate Group's States and Regions Alliance Billion Trees initiative. This Scottish figure of 100 million trees was based on achieving 50,000 hectares of woodland creation o…
27 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many bulls were used in 2012-13 and have been used in 2013-14 in each of the crofting counties under the crofting bull hire scheme.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Figures requested are as follows: Crofting Cattle Improvement Scheme Bulls Hired Out in season 2012-13, Breakdown of areas: Caithness 0 Orkney 0 Shetland 3 East Highlands:- S Sutherland 4 E Ross 3 E Inverness 2 West Highlands:- N Suthe…
26 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements it is making to ensure the maximum take-up of funds available through the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme in 2013-14.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme is a demand-led scheme reliant on a number of factors. The Scottish Government will continue to encourage crofters to apply for Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme assistance and we will make an announc…
26 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what transitional arrangements it has made to ensure that the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme will continue without disruption in 2013-14 and 2014-15.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government is currently considering the options available to us in light of the recently released transition regulations from the European Commission. This is still in draft form and we, and most other programme bodies in Europe, are requesting t…
26 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many new entrants to farming it envisages following notification that its forthcoming review of agricultural holdings legislation will include consideration of the appropriateness of legislating for a tenant farmers' right to buy.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: A range of issues affect the ability of new entrants to gain access to a farm, not just the availability of farm land. For example, access to capital, availability of financial support, suitable experience and the provision of equipment all have to be taken i…
26 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to encourage farming owner-occupiers to increase the availability of farms for rent, in light of its forthcoming review of agricultural holdings legislation including consideration of the appropriateness of legislating for a tenant farmers' right to buy.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: As part of a review of the agricultural holdings legislation, the land reform review and the work of the new entrants panel, we will continue to work closely with all parts of the industry in the coming weeks and months to consider how best to encourage lando…
26 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable will be for determining whether it will introduce legislation to introduce a tenant farmers' right to buy.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: We will make an announcement, after the summer break, indicating how we will carry out a review of the agricultural holdings legislation. Right to buy for tenant farmers will be considered as part of that review. The outputs from that review will, therefore, …
21 Jun 2013 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is on tenant farmers' right to buy in light of the comments by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment at the Royal Highland Show on 20 June 2013.
19 Jun 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered issuing maximum travel times for journeys to school in rural and island areas.
17 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has awarded the next phase of the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme to a consortium led by the UK Energy Saving Trust.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: There was a fair and open procurement process undertaken for the next phase of the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme. The successful bid is a consortium led by the Energy Saving Trust. The consortium will ensure a high calibre approach, coupled with best …
17 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme would work in an independent Scotland given that the next phase of the scheme has been awarded to a consortium led by the UK Energy Saving Trust.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme will be delivered under a commercial contract. This arrangement will be in place for a period of up to 4 years from 1 August 2013. The Energy Saving Trust is an independent charity and carries out its work in Scotlan…
17 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of vehicles used by Transport Scotland are/is (a) electric and (b) hybrid vehicles.
Answer · Keith Brown: Transport Scotland has a small fleet of vehicles comprising four cars, of which one (25%) is electric. The electric car is used for essential staff business travel between Buchanan House in Glasgow and the Traffic Scotland Control Centre in South Queensferry.…
17 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of its vehicle fleet are/is (a) electric or (b) hybrid vehicles.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has 4 electric (2%) and 22 hybrid vehicles (10%) in its fleet.
17 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many ferry terminals have charging outlets for electric vehicles.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is working with Caledonian Maritime to install electric vehicle rapid charging infrastructure at five ferry terminals: Brodick; Islay (Port Ellen); Kennacraig; Oban; and Harris (Tarbert). We are also working with other ferry terminal o…
17 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any trunk roads have charging outlets for electric vehicles every 50 miles.
Answer · Keith Brown: Transport Scotland’s programme to install charging facilities at least every 50 miles on the trunk road network has been widened to include some major local roads. Charge point locations are as close as practically possible to these roads, with selection base…
17 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many public charging outlets for electric vehicles there are on trunk roads and how many there were in (a) 2012, (b) 2011 and (c) 2010, broken down by (i) rapid, (ii) fast and (iii) standard outlets.
Answer · Keith Brown: Transport Scotland’s programme to install charging facilities at least every 50 miles on the trunk road network has been widened to include some major local roads. Charge point locations are as close as practically possible to these roads, with selection base…
11 Jun 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government when people and businesses in Shetland will be advised whether their area will be included in the 75% of the islands that Highlands and Islands Enterprise has stated will have access to superfast broadband.
6 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15103 by Humza Yousaf on 3 June 2013, whether it has had discussions with the Government of Turkey on the future of Iraqi Kurdistan in the last six months.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Scottish Ministers have had no discussions with the Turkish Government on the future of Iraqi Kurdistan in the last six months.
6 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02112 by Humza Yousaf on 15 May 2013 (Official Report, c. 19792), whether it will make a statement on the (a) nature and (b) extent of the development of business, cultural and educational links with Iraqi Kurdistan.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: There are no plans at present to publish a statement on the (a) nature and (b) extent of our developing links with Iraqi Kurdistan.
6 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-02112 by Humza Yousaf on 15 May 2013 (Official Report, c. 19792), when the meetings between Scottish Government ministers and representatives of the Kurdistan Regional Government took place, in which locations, and which ministers were involved.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The meetings are outlined in the following table: Date Minister Meeting Location 12 June 2013 Mr Yousaf, Minister for External Affairs and International Development Ms Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, UK High Representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government…
6 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15104 by Humza Yousaf on 3 June 2013, which parts of the document, Scotland’s International Framework, set out the policy objectives for its engagement with (a) Iraqi Kurdistan, (b) Iraq and (c) Turkey.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the Member to my previous answer (S4W-15104). All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at; http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx …
6 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-14016 and S4W-15103 by Humza Yousaf on 25 April 2013 and 3 June 2013 respectively, for what reasons the relevant policy officials could not provide their records of engagement with officials and ministers from (a) the Government of Iraq, (b) Iraqi…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: In respect of the Scottish Government’s engagement with the Kurdistan Regional Government, I refer the Member to my answers to questions S40-02112, S4W-15535 and S4W-15105. As engagement can be interpreted as either contact in writing or by telephone it can b…
21 May 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth last met Scotland Excel and what matters were discussed.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Deputy First Minister, as chair of the Public Procurement Reform Board, last met with sectoral representatives including the Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Council on Tuesday 28 May 2013. Topics covered included the Review of Procurement in Construction and …
21 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14555 by Humza Yousaf on 10 May 2013, for what reasons ministers have not set limits on the topics that can be discussed with ministers and officials from the Government of Argentina.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government’s International Framework provides a clear focus for international engagement.
21 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14554 by Humza Yousaf on 10 May 2013, in the absence of guidance from ministers, what position its officials would take in response to any discussion of the future of the Falkland Islands initiated by officials of the Government of Argentina.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the questions previously answered by me on 10 May 2013. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamen…
21 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14553 by Humza Yousaf on 10 May 2013, whether the meeting with Ms Chiqui Gonzalez on 6 December 2012 included any reference to the (a) future of the Falkland Islands and (b) views of the President of Santa on the future of the Falkland Islands.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The meeting with MS Chiqui Gonzalez on 3 December 2012 included no reference to the future of the Falkland Islands and the views of the President of Santa on the future of the Falkland Islands. The discussion focussed on shared family learning through cultura…
17 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding fisheries quota management and the role of producer organisations.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Fish Producer Organisations (POs) are membership organisations made of up fishermen that are provided for in EC Regulations that in Scotland and elsewhere in the European Union play an important role in the co-ordination of supplies of fish to markets and in …
17 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding the use of enforcement camera technology on UK-registered pelagic fishing vessels.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is currently exploring how to enforce the discard ban on pelagic vessels. Given the success of the Fully Documented Fisheries (catch quota) scheme, which uses cameras, in preventing discarding on demersal fishing vessels we are seeking…