Parliamentary questions
Tavish Scott
2,683 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
12 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the European Commission has set any targets for the completion of areas as Special Protection Areas and what the terms of any such targets are in respect of the (a) (i) number and (ii) area of designation and (b) timescale.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The EC Birds Directive requires member states to classify the most suitable territories in number and size as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for the conservation of bird species identified as being particularly vulnerable. <P>Since 1979, when the directive c…
12 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government about the site lease rental charge levied by Crown Estate Commissioners on Scottish salmon farmers in the current financial year.
Answer · Allan Wilson: No such representations have been made.
12 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when and how the fishing industry was informed of any changes to the technical conservation regulations, implemented on 1 January 2002 under the EU Cod Recovery Plan.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive issued a letter of guidance to every fishing vessel licence holder in Scotland on 23 November 2001. This guidance summarised the new requirements brought in by Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2056/2001 establishing additional technical m…
12 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a policy of rationalisation and compatibility of computer systems throughout the NHS in Scotland, in particular in order to take advantage of advances in telecommunications relating to its strategy on broadband and digital technology.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I refer the member to the answer to question S1W-23021 today, which confirmed that we are adopting a policy of rationalisation and compatibility of computer systems throughout NHSScotland. Rationalisation of systems and resources is necessary to achieve cost …
12 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with NHS boards in order to consider the rationalisation of computer systems throughout Scotland.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: NHSBoards have been working closely with colleagues in the Scottish Executive to update the National IM&T Strategy and are now working to take the strategy forward. A theme of the updated strategy, available on www.show.scot.nhs.uk is rationalisation of syste…
12 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency in 2002-03.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The agency's performance against its targets in 2000-01 was published in full in its Annual Report and Accounts laid before the Scottish Parliament in August (Bib. number 15417). The performance against its targets in 2001-02 will be reported in the Annual Re…
12 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many changes to EU fishing regulations which apply in Scottish waters and which created new criminal offences, were made in (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001.
Answer · Ross Finnie: European regulations do not create criminal offences. There are therefore no changes to EU fisheries regulations of the kind suggested in the question. <P>Associated criminal offences are set out in domestic UK and Scottish legislation. There are essentially …
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what specific measures it is discussing with the dental profession to improve the recruitment and retention of dental practitioners in rural, remote and island areas and when it expects to implement any such measures.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: We are discussing with the dental profession, increased continuing professional development allowances and a remote allowance for dentists in such areas. We are also at present considering other measures to improve recruitment and retention of dental practiti…
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what specific measures will be undertaken to improve the recruitment and retention of general practitioners in rural, remote and island areas.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: A review of medical workforce planning is currently under way. This review is looking at the many issues surrounding the supply of trained doctors for Scotland, and is specifically looking at provision of services in rural and remote areas. The advisory group…
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what economic assessment has been made of the impact of the imposition of the aggregates tax in Shetland and any cost rise implications for local businesses and individuals.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Assessment of economic impacts of UK taxation measures is the responsibility of Her Majesty's Treasury. No separate assessment has been undertaken by the Scottish Executive of the impact in Shetland.
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring is taking place of the use by businesses and, in particular, the tourism industry of the euro and of the availability of trading in euro to foreign visitors.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: Although the euro is not legal tender in the UK, some retailers have indicated that they are prepared to accept it as a method of payment. This reflects the commercial choices of businesses. VisitScotland are distributing material, on request, regarding the e…
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what controls on agricultural producers to prevent damage from diffuse pollution are being planned as a result of the requirement to implement the EU Water Framework Directive and what timescale is envisaged for the implementation of any such controls.
Answer · Ross Finnie: In <I>Rivers, Lochs, Coasts: The Future for Scotland's Waters</I> (Parliament's Reference Centre Bib. number 14576)<I>,</I> our consultation paper on the proposed Water Environment and Water Services Bill, which will give effect to the Directive in Scots Law,…
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met the Crown Estate to discuss (a) fish farming research and (b) sub-seabed cable links to the Scottish islands.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Executive has two places on the management committee which considers proposals for funding from the Crown Estate's aquaculture research and development budget. This committee last met on 28 January. Research and development was also discussed at a meeting…
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what role it is playing in the current review of seabed rents charged by the Crown Estate to the aquaculture industry.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The current review is a negotiation between the Crown Estate, as landlord, and the farmed salmon industry as their tenants. It would not be appropriate for any third party to be involved.
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out its current policy on the aviation sector and what plans it has to support improvements to the aviation industry and increase the provision of flights to and from all parts of Scotland.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: A Scottish Air Transport Consultation Document will be produced in April. This is part of an on-going review of aviation/airports policy leading to the development of an aviation policy for the next 30 years. The provision of flights to and from Scotland is b…
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision is expected on the application by Shetland Islands Council to operate Sumburgh Airport.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: A decision will be made after full and careful consideration of the case.
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on Environmentally Sensitive Area schemes in each of the past six years for which figures are available; how many producers were eligible to participate in each scheme, and how many did so, broken down by area.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The information is as follows:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=604><TR><TD WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="TOP"> </TD><TD WIDTH="84%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=6><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Expenditure</FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD WIDTH="16%" V…
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, or plans to make, to Her Majesty's Government or the Office of Fair Trading regarding the supply of prescription-only veterinary medicines, given the Competition Commission's current investigation into the issue.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive has made no representations to the UK Government or the Office of Fair Trading regarding the supply of prescription-only medicines. The control of medicines is a matter reserved to the Westminster Parliament and any representations will…
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its officials are responsible for ports policy and what its current policy is with respect to both trust and non-trust ports.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Scottish ministers are responsible for devolved ports policy in Scotland. Policy advice is provided mainly by the Scottish Executive Development Department (SEDD) Ports and Harbours Branch. This falls largely to three staff in that branch amongst their other …
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the #0.1 billion collected in Scotland under the category of Air Passenger Duty, as set out in Table 15. Receipts for UK and Estimates for Scotland, 1999-2000 in Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland 1999-2000, relates to travel originating in the Highlands an…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: It is not possible to estimate with any degree of precision a breakdown by region of Air Passenger Duty (APD) collected in Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands. From 1 April 2001, passengers travelling from airports in the Highlands and Islands have …
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the EU/Norway blue whiting negotiations; what measures are currently in place for the period until an agreement is reached, and when the representative parties will next meet.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Negotiations on the management of the blue whiting stock involve the European Community, Norway, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and Russia. The most recent meeting was held last month immediately prior to the December Fisheries Council. Discussions fai…
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the scientific research on which the 25% cut in monkfish quotas for both the North Sea and the west coast was based, as agreed at the EU Fisheries Council meeting in December 2001, when the research was carried out and by whom.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), which provides the scientific basis underpinning the setting of Total Allowable Catches, published the findings of the most recent international assessment of monkfish stocks in October 2001. Th…
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions are taking place with the European Commission regarding the introduction of a days at sea scheme targeted at whitefish species and, in particular, cod.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Commission proposals for a Council Regulation establishing measures for the recovery of cod and hake stocks, published on 11 December, include provisions for effort limitation measures.<P>Discussion of the proposals within the EC is just getting under way. Th…
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact on inshore, single seine net fishing vessels resulting from the introduction of nets with 120mm mesh.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive has funded research looking at the impact of various mesh sizes on the catch of a single seine net fishing vessel. The work was conducted by the North Atlantic Fisheries College in Shetland as part of the £1 million science/industry par…
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what economic assessment has been made, or is being made, of the effect on shore-based businesses in coastal communities of the reduction in catching capacity caused by the 2001 fishing vessel decommissioning scheme.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Decommissioning will not of course reduce the level of fishing opportunities available and, indeed, should help contribute to healthier stocks and a more viable, sustainable industry for the future. We recognise, however, that fleet size reductions may have s…
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how technical fisheries conservation measures reflect the difference between over 500hp twin- or single-rigged demersal fishing vessels and single low powered seine net fishing vessels.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The only difference in the EU technical conservation measures applying to these boats is the requirement for a smaller square mesh panel in trawls and seines used by boats under 150hp.
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive under what statutory instrument licences are granted which allow applicants to shoot to scare eider ducks.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Licences may be granted under the terms of section 16.-(1)(k) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the introduction of Land Management Contracts as proposed in A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive's policy is outlined in <I>A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture</I>; the aim is to introduce Land Management Contracts in two to three years' time. As part of that policy, a steering group to assist in the development of Land Man…
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on dental provision in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02 and what the projected spending is for 2002-03, broken down by health/NHS board.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The following table lists information on gross expenditure for general dental services by health board area for 1999-2000 and 2000-01. In addition, it lists the general dental services indicative allocation figures for 2001-02 and 2002-03 for each health boar…
15 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20732 by Allan Wilson on 20 December 2001, whether it will give details of the visit made by officials to the company applying for a licence to kill or remove eider ducks and whether an official from Scottish Natural Heritage was involved in the visi…
Answer · Allan Wilson: A site visit was carried out on 2 November 2001 and was attended by representatives of Fisheries Research Services Marine Laboratory and Scottish Natural Heritage, both of whom provided advice.