Murdo Fraser

16 Jan 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-14953 by Mr Tom McCabe on 14 March 2005, whether it will list all Executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies and other public bodies now in existence.

Answer · Tom McCabe: Information on Executive Agenciesand public bodies formally classified as non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs),is contained on the Public Bodies and Appointments website at: </p><p><ahref="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/government/publicbodies/">http://www.scot…

15 Jan 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-30110 by Rhona Brankin on 5 December 2006, what work is currently being undertaken on immunocontraception of grey squirrels, stating the amount of money that has been allocated to research and the species on which the work is based.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Forestry Commission Scotland(FCS) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) are providing £103,000 of combined financialsupport, over the current financial year, to a Defra-led project that aims to testand adapt fertility control agents. These agents were initi…

15 Jan 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-30108 by Rhona Brankin on 5 December 2006, whether it considers that the Scottish Red Squirrel Action Plan would be more effectively executed if directed by an individual with specific responsibility for its implementation.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The <i>Scottish Squirrel ActionPlan</i> was prepared by a Working Group comprising Forestry Commission Scotland,Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Executive. Successful implementationof the plan will call for a similar level of co-operation and partne…

3 Jan 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in relation to reducing verbal and physical abuse towards NHS staff in hospitals.

Answer · Andy Kerr: TheStaff Governance Standard commits NHSScotland employers to providing a staff witha safe and secure environment.</p><p>To help employers, the HealthDepartment has invested over £700,000 in the last few years on measures aimed atreducing violent and abusive …

3 Jan 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Ministry of Defence regarding the contract to make kilts for the Royal Regiment of Scotland and which Scottish manufacturers have been considered for the contract.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive is inregular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues includingdefence and defence procurement. The Ministryof Defence procurement processes must comply with Public ProcurementRegulations, which are applicable under Unit…

14 Dec 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that future flood prevention schemes are fit for purpose.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: When making a flood preventionscheme the onus is on the local authority to ensure that its scheme is fit for purpose.To assist local authorities in this aim the Executive is issuing guidance to localauthorities on best practice for the promotion of flood prev…

14 Dec 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will work with Perth and Kinross Council to investigate the failure of the flood prevention scheme in Milnathort.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Given the existence of arecently completed flood defence scheme, it is in the interest of Perth andKinross Council, its consulting engineers and the Scottish Executive to ensurethat a thorough investigation of the events at Milnathort is undertaken toestablis…

14 Dec 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has provided for flood prevention schemes in Tayside since 1999.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The funding provided to supportflood prevention schemes promoted since 1999 by Perth and Kinross Council, whichcovers all of the schemes in the catchment of the River Tay, is set out in the followingtable:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <the…

14 Dec 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the erratic flooding in Tayside in recent summers and winters merits a national response.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Flood risk management arrangementsare already addressed at a national level. After the extreme flood events of thesummer of 2002, an Ad Hoc Committee of Ministers, chaired by the Deputy First Minister,was instigated to consider the arrangements for addressing…

23 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to stop the illegal releasing of grey squirrels into the wild.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Grey squirrels are listed onSchedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This schedule lists those specieswhich it is illegal to release into the wild. Anyone who releases a grey squirrelinto the wild is guilty of an offence and would be liable to pro…

23 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with squirrel organisations and local authorities in the north of England regarding the spread and control of grey squirrels and what action it has taken in collaboration with such organisations.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The UK Red Squirrel Group co-ordinatesactions to support red squirrel conservation. The relevant Scottish statutory agenciesare represented on this group as are those from the north of England. Thisprovides a forum for discussion of cross-border issues and fo…

23 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the European Union in relation to the spread of grey squirrels and their impact on biodiversity.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Communication with the EuropeanUnion on the impacts of non-native species is co-ordinated through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.</p>

23 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are, or will be, funds available to carry out research into the immuno-contraception of grey squirrels.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Red Squirrel ActionPlan 2006-2011, published recently by Scottish Natural Heritage, noted the needto identify and implement cost-effective methods of grey squirrel control. Immunocontraceptionis one method currently under consideration; funding i…

23 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake a mapping programme for grey squirrels to identify the exact whereabouts and extent of the spread of grey squirrels.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: I am not aware of any plans tomap grey squirrel populations on a national scale. The Red Squirrel Action planincludes the mapping of red squirrel strongholds and areas where incursions of greysquirrels are most likely, with the intention that control measures…

23 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Red Squirrel Action Plan 2006-2011 will be directed by one nominated individual with the responsibility for the plan’s implementation.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Red Squirrel Action Planidentifies the need for action by a number of bodies. SNH and FCS both have significantroles in red squirrel conservation activity and the SNH Species Framework will providethe context for developing longer term strategies for acti…

10 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list its 10 top priority road improvement initiatives and what action is being taken to implement them.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Scottish Executive ministersdo not have a “top ten” list of priority road schemes. The current schemes beingtaken forward are as follows:</p><p>Kincardine Bridge: Under construction</p><p>A68 Dalkeith Bypass</p><p>A90 Glendoick and Kinfauns Interchanges</p><p…

10 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the 20 road stretches or junctions that have had the highest (a) accident and (b) fatality rates in each of the last five years.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Information in the form requestedis not available centrally.</p><p>Detailed statistics on road accidentsand casualties are published annually in <i>Road Accidents Scotland</i>, copiesof which are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. <i>Roa…

9 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with sportscotland, the National Lottery and other agencies regarding the provision of funding for Special Olympic athletes.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive has notheld discussions on the provision of funding for Scottish members of the SpecialOlympics team.</p><p>Sportscotland does not providedirect funding for Scottish members of the Special Olympics team. Further informationon alternativ…

9 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is available for Scottish members of the Special Olympics team.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive does notdirectly fund members of the Special Olympics Team.</p><p>Sportscotland can provide fundingfor athletes, including members of the Special Olympics Team and further informationon a variety of sources of funding for athletes is av…

18 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commission any studies into adverse affects of hormone replacement therapy.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Executive Health Department hasresponsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health andhealthcare needs in Scotland. CSO does notnormally commission research but supports research projects of …

18 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any concerns from the medical community about the use of hormone replacement therapy in Scotland.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The safety of medicines isreserved and is the responsibility of the Medicines and Healthcare productsRegulatory Agency (MHRA). The MHRA and its independent advisory committee theCommission on Human Medicines (CHM) keep the safety of all licensed medicines,inc…

17 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were employed in the (a) fishing, (b) farming and (c) manufacturing sector in (i) 1997, (ii) 1999 and (iii) the last year for which figures are available.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The following table showsthe number of people employed in the fishing, farming and manufacturing sectorin the years, 1997, 1999 and latest available.</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td width=106 valign=top> <p>Industry</p> …

4 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is making any representations on behalf of dairy farmers to supermarkets relating to the price they pay for milk.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I share the concerns of thoseworried about the level of returns being made by many milk producers but I cannotintervene directly in the market.</p><p>When I meet the major retailers,I emphasise how seriously the Executive views the importance of maintaining a…

28 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-28171 by Rhona Brankin on 20 September 2006, what the options are for a longer-term strategy for red squirrel conservation and when such a strategy will be put into place.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The options for a longer termstrategy for red squirrel conservation are wide ranging and complex. Full detailsof these options are contained within the Red Squirrel Action Plan. I have askedScottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to publish the plan on their website …

28 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-28171 by Rhona Brankin on 20 September 2006, what additional measures are now underway to protect red squirrels.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Two grey squirrel control officershave been appointed to work in the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway, inwoodlands identified as priority areas for red squirrel conservation. They havebeen tasked with raising awareness of the squirrel pox virus amongst lando…

13 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of people in Tayside have access to an NHS dentist.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: As at 31 March 2005, 58,850children (74%) and 168,233 adults (55%) were registered with a NHS dentist inTayside.</p><p>In addition, patientsaccessed NHS dentists in Tayside for 5,305 single treatments or courses oftreatment in 2004-05.</p>

13 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all civil service jobs that have been dispersed from Edinburgh since 1999, giving the local authority area to which they were relocated.

Answer · George Lyon: The outcomes of location reviewssince 1999 are set out in a table on the Executive’s relocation website. The numbersof posts dispersed from Edinburgh, in terms of the civil service and public service,to each local authority to date are as follows: Glasgow has…

13 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has invested to provide broadband connectivity in Tayside.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive has invested £16.5million (including support from the European Regional Development Fund) implementinga Scotland-wide project which has delivered broadband access to every Scottish community.A separate figure for broadband investment under this …

13 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which communities in Tayside will not be broadband-enabled by the end of 2006.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: We have already delivered accessto every Scottish community, as defined using census output areas. This was achievedthrough our £16.5 million Broadband for Scotland’s rural and remote areas project.</p><p>However, we recognise that thereare still some househo…

6 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it anticipates that the Cross Party Group on Fair Trade will adopt criteria for Fair Trade Nation status for Scotland.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The criteria by which Scotlandwill measure itself against to achieve Fair Trade Nation status has alreadybeen agreed. Following our discussions with the Welsh Assembly Government, membersof the Cross Party Group on Fair Trade were given the opportunity to com…