Tavish Scott

4 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of its financial review of strategic transport projects.

Answer · John Swinney: I have asked for a review ofmajor public transport projects which is being taken forward by Transport Scotland asa priority.</p><p>We continue to monitor allprojects to ensure proper financial control and management as well as todeliver value for money for Sc…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on cod discards.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The current levelof cod discarding, which is largely the result of decisions taken within the CFPas well as the extent to which we have a mixed fishery, is regrettable and doeslittle to help cod stocks. I believe there is an urgent need to consider appropriat…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will address the complex regulation of the fishing industry.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: We are currently examining arange of national measures that can be simplified and where opportunities exist,removed including amongst others, licensing restrictions and catch composition rules.In addition to this range of national measures, we are actively in…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether producer organisations will be defined as “active fishermen” and “coastal communities” in respect of the allocation of fishing entitlement.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Under the previousadministration, the management arrangements governing fishing quotas have been underreview for some time as part of a joint UK Quota Management Change Programme (QMCP).</p><p>I have asked my officialsas a matter of urgency to review progress…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how fishing stakeholders will be directly involved in international negotiations and EU Fisheries Councils.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: This government willgive fishing the priority and importance it deserves. This will include the developmentof a closer relationship with stakeholders in the run up to and during negotiations.I am currently exploring with the industry and others how best to ac…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the UK Marine Bill in respect of devolution of nature conservation responsibilities out to the 200-mile limit.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: As I indicated to the Parliamentpreviously, I am keen that the Parliament should have conservation powers for themarine environment from 12 to 200 nautical miles. I am aware of the Advisory Groupon Marine and Coastal Strategy recommendation on this matter and…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to allow housing associations which are registered charities to operate the Homestake scheme.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster,Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>We have advised all RegisteredSocial Landlords (RSL) that we would be prepared to provide Homestake funding througha wholly owned non-charitab…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to minimise bureaucracy for housing associations which are registered charities and wish to operate the Homestake scheme, given the current position of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I have asked Angiolina Foster,Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>The Office of the Scottish CharityRegulator has raised the issue of charitable status and Homestake with CommunitiesScotland and we have agree…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) pelagic and (b) demersal pressure stock licences have been cancelled in each of the last 10 years, also showing the reasons for cancellation.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The required information in relationto licences administered in Scotland is as follows:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td width=52 valign=top> <p align=center>Year</p> </td> <td width=122 valign=top> <p align=center>…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision will be made on the flexibility and transferability of pelagic and demersal pressure stock licences and why no decision has been taken to date.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Recommendations from the FishingVessel Licensing Review Working Group have been put forward stating that greaterflexibility should be introduced in the use of fishing vessel licences. Scottishministers in the previous administration accepted fully this recomm…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on no timescale limit being attached to unused pelagic and demersal pressure stock licences that are currently cancelled if not used for a period of three years.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: We consider that a time periodshould continue to apply for use to be made of fishing vessel licence entitlementswhich are not attached to active fishing vessels.</p><p>The Fishing Vessel LicensingReview Working Group has recommended that the validity period f…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the policy objective is of allowing unused pelagic and demersal pressure stock licences to be cancelled if not used for a period of three years.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Under the UK fishing vessel licensingregime currently managed jointly by agreement, licences which are not attached toactive vessels can be established as unattached licence entitlements and remainvalid for a period of up to three years. If they are not used …

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultations there have been on the flexibility and transferability of pelagic and demersal pressure stock licences and what period has passed since the initial proposals for changes were made.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: To date there have been no formalconsultations.</p><p>However, the ability to providefor greater flexibility in the transfer and use of fishing vessel licences has beenconsidered by the Fishing Vessel Licensing Review Working Group, a joint industry/departmen…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what investigations and research are being considered into informal mobility, such as car sharing, in respect of demand-responsive transport.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: A number of voluntary carsharing schemes in rural areas are already being assisted under the Executive’srural community transport initiative. It is anticipated that more demandresponsive transport initiatives, including voluntary car schemes, will besupported…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy and objectives are in respect of the annual EU/Norway fishing negotiations which take place in advance of the EU Fisheries Council in December.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The EU/Norway negotiations areof critical importance to the Scottish fishing industry. I shall be developing Scotland’s objectivesfor these negotiations in full consultation with the industry over the next fewmonths.</p>

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the Cod Recovery Plan 2 which the European Commission wishes to introduce in 2009 and whether the Executive supports the reorganisation of the Cod Recovery Plan.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I believe there isa need to review the cod recovery plan. My aim will be to secure a plan which asfar as possible decouples the management of cod from other stocks, brings greaterstability to the fleet and helps achieve our aim of a sustainable fishery. I sha…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when Shetland Islands Council and Hjaltland Housing Association will be given approval to operate the agreed Tenants Incentive Scheme and what the reasons are for any delay in approval.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster,Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>Communities Scotland is assessinga proposal by Hjaltland Housing Association and Shetland Islands Council to operatea tenants incentive scheme.…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator has carried out, and with whom, about its current policy in respect of housing associations that operate as registered charities.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The information requested isnot held centrally. The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator is operationallyindependent from Scottish ministers and the member should contact them for thisinformation.</p>

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the registration and inspection regime pursued by Communities Scotland as it affects rural and island housing associations.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster,Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>Communities Scotland hasagreed Performance Standards with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities andthe Scottish Federation of Housing As…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the allocation of private sector housing grant to Shetland Islands Council.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster,Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>The Private Sector Housing Grant(PSHG) allocation to Shetland Islands Council for 2007-08 is £938,000.</p><p>There are currently no plansto inc…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to change the current approach to state aid compliance and approval in respect of the fisheries and agricultural sectors.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Executive hasno current plans to change the current approach to state aid compliance andapproval in respect of the fisheries and agricultural sectors.</p><p>A review of the state aidregulations used by the fisheries and agriculture sectors took p…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce local referenda for onshore wind farm developments and, if so, (a) what the terms of the referenda will be with regard to the minimum size of wind farm for which a referendum is called, the selection of the electorate entitled to participate in a given refere…

Answer · Jim Mather: Scottish Planning Policy 6 (SPP6)on Renewable Energy makes clear public participation in the planning process isimportant. Views of the public, where based on relevant planning matters, will bematerial considerations that should be taken into account when con…

24 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Rural Development Plan for 2007-13 will be submitted to the European Commission.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-242 on 12 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.s…

24 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will take a decision on the rates of voluntary modulation for inclusion in the Rural Development Plan for 2007-13.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I announced in Parliamentthe rates of voluntary modulation we intend to use during the Debate on 31 Mayon the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-13. My officials are in theprocess of finalising a contribution to a UK submission notifying the EuropeanCo…

24 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any planned legislation to control the ship-to-ship transfer of oil in open waters, such as the Firth of Forth, will allow the continued ship-to-ship transfer of oil in sheltered harbours such as Sullom Voe.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: As I said in response to thequestions following my statement to the Parliament on 24 May, there are someareas in Scotland where ship-to-ship oil transfers already take place,and where it is perfectly acceptable for such operations to continue. It is notthe Sc…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of existing agri-environment schemes will be funded in the current and next financial year.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Provided scheme conditions aremet, 100% of agri-environment agreements which are current will be funded duringthis financial year. This also applies to the next financial year.</p>

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans exist for a geographical approach to relocation policy and on what date a new policy will be introduced.

Answer · John Swinney: I am currently considering thefuture arrangements for reaching decisions on the locations of public bodies, inlight of the experience of previous relocation policy, the findings of the previousFinance and Audit Committees of the Scottish Parliament and our wi…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its relocation policy is and, in particular, whether the Small Units Initiative will be retained as part of that policy.

Answer · John Swinney: We are currently reviewing arrangementsfor considering the locations of public bodies, in light of the experience of previousrelocation policy, the findings of the previous Finance and Audit Committees of the Scottish Parliament and our wider commitment to re…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in retaining a Crofters Commission bull scheme, in light of the European Commission raising the de minimis level of agricultural support to 6,000 Euros over a three-year period.

Answer · Michael Russell: We are currently consideringfuture support for the improvement of crofters cattle in the light of the recentchange to state aid guidelines. The European Commission proposal to increase thede-minimis limit on agricultural support from 1 January 2008,if accepte…

22 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any discussion with the Marine and Coastguard Agency regarding the conduct of Greenpeace vessel, Arctic Sunrise, in the Shetland coastal waters in the week beginning 14 May 2007.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: When the Scottish Fisheries ProtectionAgency (SFPA) became aware of the presence of the Greenpeace vessel <i>Arctic Sunrise</i>in Scottish Waters on  14 May 2007, officials of that agency contacted the PrincipleEnforcement Officer of the Marine and Coastguard…