Parliamentary questions

Tavish Scott

2,683 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

30 Sep 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of the recent legal case under the National Minimum Wages Act 1998, it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government requesting that the Post Office be instructed to accept the tribunal's ruling and increase payments to sub-postmasters in Scotland to comply w…

Answer · Henry McLeish: As explained in the answer to S1W-1330, this is a legal matter for The Employment Tribunal and Courts to determine. The Department of Trade and Industry who have policy responsibility for these reserved matters have seen the Employment Tribunal's decision and…

30 Sep 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1462 by Mr Iain Gray on 23 September 1999, when it will provide its response to the Royal Commission Report With Respect to Old Age: Long Term Care - Rights and Responsibilities.

Answer · Iain Gray: The recommendations cover a wide range of issues. We are continuing to consider them and will respond as soon as possible.

9 Sep 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered the Royal Commission Report With Respect to Old Age: Long Term Care - Rights and Responsibilities and what action it plans to take in light of the recommendations.

Answer · Iain Gray: The Royal Commission was set up to consider the system of funding care in residential and nursing homes, as well as in people's own homes. The recommendations made in the Commission's Report relating to health, housing and social work are for Scottish Ministe…

3 Sep 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the Remote and Rural Areas Resource Centre being set up at Raigmore will achieve its stated aim of strengthening services in all remote and rural parts of Scotland and how it will interact with appropriate local Health Boards.

Answer · Susan Deacon: A fundamental principle underlying the creation of the Centre is that it should be a Scotland-wide resource. Its early tasks will include the examination of service delivery and clinical networks - including those which operate across Health Board boundaries …

27 Aug 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take in relation to the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee's suggestion that all low level radioactive waste from sites within Scotland should be taken to Dounreay for storage.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I understand that UKAEA has no plans to build a facility to handle all Scottish low level radioactive waste at Dounreay. The Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee's (RWMAC) suggestion was contained in its response to the House of Lords Select Commit…

2 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering designating the sea around Fair Isle as a Marine Special Protection Area, or creating a statutory exclusion 'one round the island into which vessels carrying ha'ardous cargoes may not sail.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive has not yet received advice from its statutory nature conservation advisers on the identification of areas appropriate for classification as marine Special Protection Areas under the EC Wild Birds Directive 79/409/EEC. Maritime safety a…

30 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make representations to Her Majesty's Government about the need to improve the regulation of shipping carrying ha'ardous cargoes in Scottish coastal waters.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with Her Majesty's Government on a wide range of issues including matters relating to maritime safety and the marine environment.

30 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make representations to Her Majesty's Government about the need to maintain all existing Scottish Coastguard Stations to ensure a fast and effective response to marine incidents posing threats to the Scottish environment.

30 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make representations to Her Majesty's Government about the need to provide year round salvage tug cover for Scottish coastal waters, including a tug stationed in Orkney and Shetland.

30 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to seek from Her Majesty's Government a report on the incident in the Fair Isle Channel on 26 June 1999, when a tanker drifted without control for some 17 hours before the arrival of a salvage tug.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: A report of the incident has been supplied by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

15 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to progress towards moving the payment of Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances on to an area basis.

Answer · Ross Finnie: A further consultation document on any future support for farming in Scotland's Less-Favoured Areas will be issued once full details of the EU implementing and transitional regulations are known.

15 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to implement an enhanced payment scheme under the Organic Aid Scheme and what is the timescale for such changes.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Subject to receiving the approval of the European Commission and of this Chamber, my hope is that increased payments should be available by October.

15 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to prepare practical arrangements for the implementation of the Agricultural Business Improvement Scheme.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Highlands and Islands Agricultural Programme began in 1994. Amendments to the original Programme took effect on 31 March 1999. The Programme is administered through agricultural Area Offices and anyone wishing details of the Programme, including the rece…