Parliamentary questions
Tavish Scott
2,683 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
6 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether eligibility for assistance under the Infectious Salmon Anaemia re-start scheme is being assessed by the Rural Affairs Department and how long the Department is taking to complete these assessments.
Answer · John Home Robertson: I refer the Member to the answer I gave to his question number S1W-3002.
6 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what details are required by the Rural Affairs Department to assess eligibility for the Infectious Salmon Anaemia re-start scheme and whether these details are the same for each local enterprise area.
Answer · John Home Robertson: I refer the Member to the answer I gave to his question number S1W-3002. The Department's response is based on its own records.
6 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it applied to the European Commission for approval to implement the Infectious Salmon Anaemia re-start scheme.
Answer · John Home Robertson: I refer the Member to the answer I gave to his question number S1W-2995.
6 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that the European Commission will accept the Infectious Salmon Anaemia re-start scheme, and when it expects the Commission to approve the scheme.
Answer · John Home Robertson: My officials have had informal discussions with the European Commission and with the United Kingdom representative in Brussels (UKREP) on the proposal. There has also been liaison with Whitehall Departments. In the light of these discussions a final…
6 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the first year for the Infectious Salmon Anaemia re-start scheme will end and whether it expects the #3 million available under the scheme to be fully utilised.
Answer · John Home Robertson: Mindful of where we are in the financial year, the intention is to make available £1 million in 1999-2000 and £4 million in each of the next two years. I envisage the funds being fully utilised.
6 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings have taken place between Ministers and the Crofters Commission since 1 July 1999, whether the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme was discussed and what the outcome of those meetings was.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I met members of the Crofters Commission last month to discuss land reform measures relevant to crofting. This was the only meeting between Ministers and the Commission since 1 July. The Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme was not discussed.
6 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to pass Crofters Commission development schemes, including the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme, to Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Future arrangements for all functions of the Crofters Commission were assessed in the Policy and Financial Management Review, the first stage of which has recently been completed. I am currently considering the review report, and no decisions have been taken.…
6 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme was last reviewed and what the outcome was of the review.
Answer · Ross Finnie: In 1995, an independent consultant conducted an evaluation of the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme (CCAGS). Subsequently there was a consultation on proposals for change including, in particular, merging CCAGS into a new wider ranging scheme. In th…
6 Dec 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment is currently being made of the Crofters Commission and its development functions.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive has recently carried out the first stage of a Policy and Financial Management Review of the Crofters Commission. I am currently considering the review report. An announcement will be made in due course.
22 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the membership is of the Efficiency Advisory Group set up to contribute to the efficiency study into the Meat Hygiene Service.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The Efficiency Advisory Group sought to consult all sections of the industry represented on the Meat Industry Forum as well as four consumer groups. In relation to Scotland, industry interests were represented by the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers, …
22 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the efficiency study into the Meat Hygiene Service is to be completed, and when and how the results will be made public.
Answer · Susan Deacon: he efficiency review of the Meat Hygiene Service has been completed and a report submitted for consideration by the Meat Industry Red Tape Working Group. The report of the Working Group detailing conclusions and recommendations will be presented to Ministers …
22 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the names of all small slaughterhouses in Scotland consulted, or to be consulted, by the team carrying out the efficiency study into the Meat Hygiene Service.
Answer · Susan Deacon: When the efficiency review of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) was announced Ministers made it clear that they were keen to see industry representatives participating closely in the study. All members of the MHS Industry Forum were consulted and invited to atte…
22 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the review of "red tape" in the meat industry is to be completed, and when and how the results will be made public.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The report of the Meat Industry Red Tape Working Group will be presented to Ministers by the end of December and published thereafter.
22 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what topics are to be covered by the review of "red tape" in the meat industry.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The Group's remit is to explore urgently and rigorously the regulatory burdens on the meat industry to see if there are ways of doing things better and to root out unnecessary restrictions. Specific areas being considered include -<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Meat hygi…
9 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a policy for the development of Scottish ports and harbours and, if so, what consultation it has carried out, or plans to carry out, with the Scottish Port and Harbours Authorities on this policy.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive recognises the importance of developing ports and harbours as part of Scotland's transport system and in providing trading links.<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>A Ports Policy Paper is being prepared, following consultation with the indust…
9 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when testing of wild fish for the presence of Infectious Salmon Anaemia was first carried out and how extensive this testing has been since that date in terms of the number of tests carried out and the geographical areas and species of fish covered.
Answer · John Home Robertson: Testing of wild fish begun in summer 1998. To date over 1,800 tests have been carried out on 27 species, including atlantic salmon, sea trout and brown trout. Fish have been taken from Lochs Creran, Nevis and Snizort, Mull, The Minch and Shetland (non salmoni…
9 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the sampling and testing procedures followed when testing wild fish for the presence of Infectious Salmon Anaemia.
Answer · John Home Robertson: Sampling methods include demersal trawling, gill netting and electro-fishing of burns. Testing is done on blood and kidney, liver, heart and spleen tissue. Procedures include screening for Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) viral proteins using the Indirect Fluo…
4 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1661 by John Home Robertson on 6 October 1999, what progress is being made in developing a vaccine against Infectious Salmon Anaemia and whether a timescale for its development, approval and introduction has been proposed.
Answer · John Home Robertson: All that can be added to the answer given to the earlier question is that the Scottish Executive is aware of a number of companies currently undertaking development work with a vaccine to combat the Scottish strain of ISA.
4 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Rural Affairs Department officials have visited Shetland, or plan to visit Shetland, to discuss with the Shetland salmon farmers practical means of simplifying or relaxing the Infectious Salmon Anaemia control measures.
Answer · John Home Robertson: There are no plans for officials to visit Shetland in the near future, but we will be happy to receive representations from the industry.
4 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the announcement by John Home Robertson on 6 September 1999, what progress has been made in introducing the #3 million per annum support funding to the salmon farming industry being handled by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and when will the terms of the support scheme be m…
Answer · John Home Robertson: Details of the scheme to assist fish and shellfish farmers directly affected by Infectious Salmon Anaemia were announced by HIE on 7 October. Applications have been received and are under consideration.
4 Nov 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding the production tax which Crown Estate Commissioners impose on Scottish salmon farmers.
Answer · John Home Robertson: The tax referred to represents a site lease rental charge. It is calculated on throughput and indexed to the annual average market price. Total income generated from this source in 1998 amounted to £2.407 million, roughly 1% of production value. The Scottish …
21 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet the Shetland Health Board in Shetland to enable the Board to present its views on the proposed Arbuthnott formula, and whether it will then give further consideration to any proposals which the Board makes.
Answer · Susan Deacon: As part of the Arbuthnott consultation exercise officials from the Scottish Executive met Shetland Health Board in Shetland on 6 September 1999 to explain the proposals and hear the Boards' views. The Board took the opportunity to present a fulsome response t…
20 Oct 1999 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet the Shetland Health Board in Shetland to enable the Board to present its views on the proposed Arbuthnott formula, and whether it will then give further consideration to any proposals which the Board makes.
Answer · Susan Deacon: As part of the Arbuthnott consultation exercise officials from the Scottish Executive met Shetland Health Board in Shetland on 6 September 1999 to explain the proposals and hear the Boards' views. The Board took the opportunity to present a fulsome response t…
19 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish local authorities have made financial provision to cover the cost of pre-school education for pupils whose parents have opted for deferred entry and which authorities these are.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Details are not held centrally of local authorities' financial provision for children whose entry to primary school has been deferred. We understand that virtually all local authorities provide pre-school places for a number of such children.
11 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations it has had with the fishing industry during the preparation of their proposals for submission to the European Union for the application of the Fisheries Instrument Financial Guidance funding and what has been the response to the consultation.
Answer · John Home Robertson: The Scottish Executive issued 250 copies of a consultation paper to interested organisations on the application of the proposed new Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG). 42 replies were received. While a range of views were expressed a…
11 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has identified any distinctly Scottish issues relating to rail safety including the high number of single track lines and level crossings on many lines in Scotland.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Under Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, the provision and regulation of railway services, which includes rail safety, is a reserved matter. These are the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions within the UK governmen…
11 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, following the transfer of executive functions for railways, which body will ultimately be responsible for enforcing safety standards on Scotland's railways and the penalties Railtrack and franchise operators face if they fail to meet safety standards.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The transfer of executive functions for railways did not include responsibility for rail safety, which is a reserved matter and is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions within the UK government. The Health and Safety E…
11 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to set targets for future improvements in rail safety and if so how these targets will be delivered.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Under Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, the provision and regulation of railway services, which includes rail safety, are reserved matters. They are the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions within the UK gover…
11 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it intends to take to invest in rail infrastructure over this session of the Parliament and what proportion of this investment will be specifically allocated to health and safety initiatives.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: his year the ScotRail franchise will be supported by £208 million of public money. The cross-border franchises are also supported by the taxpayer. The franchises will continue to be supported throughout this Parliament and beyond. This support, together with …
6 Oct 1999 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is made available to local authorities with regards to the development and review of local emergency plans.
Answer · Angus MacKay: In relation to emergency planning aimed primarily at protection of lives, the Scottish Executive Justice Department runs general training courses for local authority staff and others, issues general guidance documents as required, and pays civil defence grant.