Tavish Scott

10 Apr 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of freedom of information requests it received in (a) 2013, (b) 2012 and (c) 2011 was responded to fully within 20 days.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The percentage of FOI requests answered within 20 working days in 2013 is 79%, as at 18 April 2013. The percentages for 2011 and 2012 are published in the FOI Annual Reports for 2011 and 2012 on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/A…

3 Apr 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had in 2013 with the Scottish pelagic fleet and its representatives regarding the appointment of a mediator for international fishing talks.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I have regular meetings with the pelagic industry and the processors, as well as ongoing discussions about how best to find a solution to the mackerel crisis. I have discussed this issue directly with Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fisherme…

3 Apr 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government who is involved in the appointment of a mediator for talks on international fish quota.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The mackerel talks consist of four parties, the EU, represented by the European Commission, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands. All parties will need to agree to a mediator being appointed and who that mediator might be.

3 Apr 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had and with whom regarding the appointment of a mediator for talks on international fish quotas since November 2012.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I first suggested the idea of an international mediator in January 2013 in recognition of the fact that the current approach to the mackerel negotiations, clearly isn’t working. I had initial discussions with Maria Damanaki and Simon Coveney at the January Fi…

28 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has explored the possibility of Highlands and Islands Enterprise supplying a European Fisheries Fund bridging loan when payment schedules are disrupted.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Discussions regularly take place with the Enterprise Networks regarding the delivery of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) programme in Scotland, which already operates with match funding through the Scottish Government and the enterprise networks. Highlands …

28 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, whether it will provide a summary of the engagement in the last six months between its officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Due to the potential high number of engagements across the Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina, a full break down of engagements in the last six months and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. …

28 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, how ministers will report to the Parliament on dialogue between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The parliamentary process provides mechanisms through which the Parliament can request information about the Scottish Government’s engagement with these countries.

28 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, whether ministers discuss with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office dialogue between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: There has been no recent contact with Foreign and Commonwealth Ministers on Scottish Government officials’ contact with these two countries but the Scottish Government engages in regular dialogue with the UK Government. A Memorandum of Understanding is in pla…

28 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, how ministers ensure that dialogue between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina reflect ministerial policy.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14018 on 25 April 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/parliamentaryb…

28 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, whether, in the last three months, it has issued new guidance to its officials with responsibilities for dialogue with government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: No new guidance has been published. I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-14016, S4W-14017 and S4W-14018 on 25 April 2013. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can …

28 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, within what parameters its officials are expected to work when engaged in dialogue with government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-14016, S4W-14017 and S4W-14018 on 25 April 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.pa…

28 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, what topics have been presented to or summarised for ministers as a result of dialogue between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government places a high value on its relationships with other countries and engages with government officials from other countries on a number of areas of mutual interest. For example, the topics summarised for Ministers on Qatar include officia…

28 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, how ministers are informed of dialogue between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Scottish Government officials engage with Ministers on a regular basis. As part of this process, officials update Ministers on their engagement and dialogue with officials from other countries, in accordance with the Civil Service Code.

28 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, whether there is policy guidance that officials are obliged to follow when engaged in dialogue with government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina and, if so, whether it will publish such guidance.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Officials are required to adhere to the Civil Service Code when engaging with government officials from other countries.

28 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, whether one of its officials keeps track of all engagements between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Officials from respective policy areas are responsible for keeping a record of engagement between Scottish Government officials and officials from other countries in accordance with the values set out in the Civil Service Code.

28 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, what grades of civil servants are permitted to engage in dialogue with government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Scottish Government officials engage with officials from these countries on the basis of policy need rather than grade.

28 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13606 by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2013, how many civil servants are permitted to engage in dialogue with government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Scottish Government officials engage with officials from these countries on the basis of policy need.

22 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its officials attend the Crofting Commission board meetings in any capacity and, if so, on what dates they have done so in (a) 2012 and (b) 2013.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Scottish Government officials attended the Crofting Commission board meetings on 3 April 2012, 17 May 2012 and 2 November 2012 in an advisory sponsorship capacity; on 6 September 2012 to inform the Crofting Commission on crofting grant schemes administered by…

19 Mar 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities last met hub North Scotland Ltd and what matters were discussed.

12 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13345 by Humza Yousaf on 7 March 2013, how many communications ministers and officials have had with government officials from (a) Argentina, (b) Brazil, (c) China, (d) Iceland, (e) Ireland, (f) Qatar and (g) Spain in the last two years.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Information on the number of communications between Scottish Government ministers and officials and government officials of (i) Argentina, (ii) Brazil, (iii) China, (iv) Iceland, (v) Ireland, (vi) Qatar or (vii) Spain in the last two years could only be obtai…

12 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13345 by Humza Yousaf on 7 March 2013, how many meetings ministers and officials have had with government officials from (a) Argentina, (b) Brazil, (c) China, (d) Iceland, (e) Ireland, (f) Qatar and (g) Spain in the last two years.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Information on the number of meetings between Scottish Government ministers and officials and government officials of (i) Argentina, (ii) Brazil, (iii) China, (iv) Iceland, (v) Ireland, (vi) Qatar or (vii) Spain in the last two years could only be obtained at…

7 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on hiring external advisors or consultants as part of its work on constitutional reform.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: A total of £65,257.38 has been spent on hiring external advisors as part of constitutional reform.

7 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many external advisors or experts it has consulted as part of its work on constitutional reform.  

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government is consulting a wide range of experts as we develop our proposals for a prosperous, fairer, independent Scotland. These include the eminent members of the Fiscal Commission Working Group (including two Nobel prize-winners) and the Expe…

7 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants for whom it is not their full-time role are involved in its workstreams supporting constitutional reform.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: As part of their normal duties, civil servants provide support on relevant aspects of the Scottish Government’s work. Staff contribute to constitutional policy development from within their own subject areas as and when required.

7 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants are working on its workstreams supporting constitutional reform, also broken down by (a) grade and (b) workstream.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: As part of their normal duties, civil servants provide support on relevant aspects of the Scottish Government’s work. Staff contribute to constitutional policy development from within their own subject areas as and when required. The amount of time staff spe…

5 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will have considered the findings of the Review of NHS Pharmaceutical Care of Patients in the Community in Scotland and when (a) the review and (b) a strategy for pharmacy and medicines will be published.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government continues to consider Dr Wilson’s report on the Review of NHS Pharmaceutical Care of Patients in the Community in Scotland alongside other national policy initiatives which will inform the future of NHS pharmaceutical care in Scotland.…

5 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12852 by Nicola Sturgeon on 4 March 2013, when it was announced that the two schemes on the A9 would be brought forward and whether they have been affected by the additional £394 million of capital allocated in the 2012 Autumn Statement.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The announcement to start construction of the Luncarty to Birnam scheme in 2017 was made on 31 January 2012. The announcement to start construction of the Kincraig to Dalraddy scheme in 2015-16 was made on 26 June 2012. These two schemes were therefore not a…

4 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will use its option to establish a coupled support scheme for beef and sheep production.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government believes coupled payments are an important way to try and address the continuing decline in livestock numbers and risk of land abandonment in Scotland. We continue to argue for the ability to use up to 15% of our direct payments ceilin…

4 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what preparations it is making to ensure that its IT systems can cope with the new area payments system for landowners.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: We have commenced a significant programme of work to re-engineer the business and IT processes which underpin the delivery of rural payments and inspections and to deliver CAP Reform. This is a long term programme of IT enabled business change, which will del…

4 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will use the small farmers scheme to deliver support to crofters.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Support for small farmers and crofters under Pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will be a feature of the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. Consultation on the detail of the Programme is expected to commence in spring 2014, and the …