Parliamentary questions

John Scott

560 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

2 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that carers are given the opportunity to complete a carer’s assessment and are provided with the support needed to continue as a carer.

Answer · Shona Robison: Under the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 carers who intend to, or provide, a substantial amount of care on a regular basis are entitled to an assessment of their ability to provide or to continue to provide care (carer''s assessment), independe…

2 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to ensure the provision of respite care.

Answer · Shona Robison: Under the concordat, local authorities agreed to progress towards delivering 10,000 extra respite weeks per annum across Scotland. In addition to the concordat funding, as part of the overall local government settlement, the Scottish Government allocated an a…

2 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the needs of carers and young carers will be met by local authorities in the absence of ring fencing.

Answer · Shona Robison: It is for local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and l…

2 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities give preference to carers centres with a proven track record providing of support services to carers.

Answer · Shona Robison: Local authorities make decisions on the funding of, and support to, carers'' centres on the basis of locally assessed priorities. With regard to tendering, under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, local authorities must decide, on a c…

2 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on the development of its carers strategy.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Carers Strategy for Scotland, including that relating to young carers, will be published during the first half of 2010. It is being developed in partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and is being informed by the work of two steerin…

24 Sep 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to help ensure that fracture patients have access to a high-quality fracture liaison service no matter where they live.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government supports the sharing of good practice between NHS boards to ensure the best quality services are accessible to patients. It is for NHS boards to determine the level of service need and provide services accordingly.

22 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is regarding Scottish Water leakage allowances in respect of payments for metered water supplies

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Following the introduction of retail competition, charges to non-household customers, including policies on leakage allowances, are the responsibility of licensed providers.

18 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commit to the following individual or group of cross-compliance requirements during farm inspections following the introduction of EU Regulation 21/2004 on the identification of sheep and goats: (a) a sample number of sheep are checked for identification, (b) a sample numb…

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Commission regulation 1505/2006 of 11 October 2006 implementing EU Regulation 21/2004 requires a minimum level of checks to be carried out in relation to the identification and registration of sheep and goats. The Scottish Government currently inspec…

18 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will permit producers to carry out, record and report within-business moves of sheep on a batch basis following the introduction of EU Regulation 21/2004 on the identification of sheep and goats.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: EU Regulation 21/2004 requires the individual identification and recording of all sheep and goats born after 1 January 2010. Derogations exist for those intended for slaughter within 12 months that can be identified and recorded on a batch level. The…

4 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executivewhether the proposed establishment of a register of individuals who have been tested on their knowledge and experience in deer stalking, possibly affecting 20,000 people, is consistent with Scottish Government policy on reducing red tape and bureaucratic burdens in the rural sector and wit…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scotland''s Wild Deer: A National Approach identified a number of key actions and objectives including the importance of assuring deer welfare as well as objectives relating to increasing participation and economic contribution. Th…

4 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executivewhether it is aware of any information that shows deer welfare is compromised by stalking practices in Scotland.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Proposals for reform of the deer legislation in Scotland were requested in June 2008 by the then Minister for Environment in response to concerns he had raised following reports of incidents where deer welfare might have been compromised. Deer Commission for…

4 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executivewhether it is aware of the discredited information on the safety record of deer stalkers contained in the Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment contained in the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill Consultation document and whether, in the absence of any information to the contrary, it con…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: On page 79 of the Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) it was stated that there have been three fatalities associated with deer stalking in the last four years and research in 2003 suggested over 40% of shots could give rise to welfare concerns. Deer Co…

2 Sep 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency over the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0910-01.htm">http://www.scot…

6 Aug 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to resolve the issues relating to the dairy sector identified in the European Commission report, Dairy market situation 2009, published in July 2009.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is taking proactive steps on a range of issues to address the issues highlighted in the European Commission''s Dairy market report.

6 Aug 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the dairy sector relating to the issues identified in the European Commission report, Dairy market situation 2009, published in July 2009.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the Scottish dairy sector on a range of issues including the European Commission dairy market report.

6 Aug 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs relating to the issues identified in the European Commission report, Dairy market situation 2009, published in July 2009.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is in regular contact with Defra, and the other Rural Affairs Departments, to consider the UK response to the European Commission''s report on the Dairy industry.

18 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, given discontent at the lack of available days at sea and notwithstanding the changes that came into force on 1 May 2009, whether it plans to challenge the underlying European regulation in order to make more days at sea available to Scottish fishermen.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has been working closely with the fishing industry to maximise the days at sea available in 2009 to Scottish fishing vessels, while also ensuring that progress continues in building the sustainability of our cod and other important fis…

18 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to make horse owners and keepers aware of their new responsibilities under the amended Equine Identification Regulations 2009 that come into force on 1 July 2009.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government worked with the horse industry in preparing the new legislation. We are currently finalising guidance that has been produced in partnership with the horse industry. The guidance will be sent to all Passport Issuing Offices (PIO) for th…

18 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the data held on microchips implanted in horses cannot be deliberately erased by those seeking to conceal their ownership of these animals prior to their abandonment as has been happening elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government, along with colleagues from Northern Ireland, England, and Wales are unaware of any incidents of microchips being wiped prior to animals being abandoned. Microchips to be used under the new horse passport regulations must adhe…

5 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Home Office regarding visas for non-European Economic Area crew members currently crewing Scottish boats.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I have written to Phil Woolas, the Minister of State for Borders and Immigration, twice this year requesting a meeting to discuss the UK Border Agency''s enforcement of existing immigration laws in respect of non-EEA crew members currently crewing Scottish ve…

26 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that Clyde prawn vessels catching less than 1.5% cod achieve an exemption from the Cod Recovery Plan days at sea effort restrictions.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government have requested the European Commission exempt two groups of Scottish Nephrops vessels, one which fishes in areas of low cod in the Minches and the other in the eastern Firth of Clyde, which catch very little or no cod at all from the f…

23 Apr 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place between ministers and local authorities regarding the condition of the road network.

23 Apr 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Ayr College regarding the current industrial action by lecturers.

Answer · Keith Brown: Ayr College, as an independent employer, is responsible for negotiating terms and conditions of service with the trade unions which represent its staff. While this is not a matter in which ministers can intervene directly, the Cabinet Secretary for Education …

15 Apr 2009 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what recent discussions the Scottish Government has had with the management, staff and unions of the National Trust for Scotland on its future.

Answer · Alex Salmond: This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0423-01.htm">http://www.scott…

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the suspension of applications to the Rural Priorities scheme is related to the computer-driven application process.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The applications process for Rural Priorities has not been closed or suspended. Applicants and their agents may continue to submit Statements of Intent or Proposals through the online applications system.

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for how long applications to the Rural Priorities scheme will be suspended.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The application process for Rural Priorities has not been closed or suspended. Applicants and their agents may submit Statements of Intent or Proposals through the online applications system.

9 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reasons applications to the Rural Priorities scheme have been suspended.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The applications process for Rural Priorities has not been closed or suspended. Applicants and their agents may submit Statements of Intent or Proposals through the online applications system.

26 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what further measures can be taken to halt the spread of infectious salmon anaemia on salmon farms in Shetland.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Infectious salmon anaemia has not been detected on any of the three farms in the area of the outbreak that are still stocked with salmon. Measures in place to reduce the risk of spread of any latent infection include controls on the movement of (a) live fish,…

18 Mar 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the recently published December 2008 Survey of Agriculture, what action it will take to halt the decline of agricultural production.

Answer · Richard Lochhead : This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0326-01.htm">http://www.scot…

11 Mar 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to attract tourism business to Ayrshire and in particular southern Ayrshire.

Answer · Jim Mather : This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0312-01.htm">http://www.scott…