Claire Baker

5 Dec 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what independent testing has been carried out to evaluate the risk of injury to birds and other animals from (a) Larsen Mate and (b) Elgeeco cage traps.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government are not aware that any independent testing of the welfare impacts of these traps has yet been carried out since 2009 when these traps were first used in Scotland. The Scottish Government are also not aware of any evidence of adverse we…

5 Dec 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) demand, (b) uptake and (c) capacity was of the (i) mortgage to rent scheme and (ii) mortgage to shared equity scheme (A) nationally and (B) in Fife under the Home Owners Support Fund.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: Details for the past two financial years are as follows: 2010-2011 2011-2012 NATIONAL FIFE COUNCIL AREA NATIONAL FIFE COUNCIL AREA Number of Applications 739 68 889 74 Completed Mortgage To Rent 368 36 322 16 Completed Mortgage To Sha…

5 Dec 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it paid out (a) nationally and (b) in Fife for the (i) mortgage to rent scheme and (ii) the mortgage to shared equity scheme under the Home Owners Support Fund.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: Details for the last two financial years are as follows: 2010-2011 2011-2012 NATIONAL FIFE COUNCIL AREA NATIONAL FIFE COUNCIL AREA Mortgage to Rent £19.9m £1.55m £14.3m £0.7m Mortgage to Shared Equity £0.2m £0.05m £0.1m 0m Total £20.1m …

26 Nov 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects Scottish Enterprise to decide on the location of the Areva turbine site.

22 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis there has been of the people who might be affected by the removal of jury trials from Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court and what information it has on the percentage of people attending the court in the last three years who were (a) receiving benefits and (b) in employment.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.

22 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many criminal trials have been adjourned at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court because of (a) a crown motion, (b) a defence motion, (c) failure to appear by an accused, (d) failure to appear by a witness, (e) lack of court time and (f) any other reason in the last three years.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.

20 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on using demand management measures as part of a low-carbon transport system.

Answer · Keith Brown: Demand management is one of the options available in managing any transport system. Our low carbon aspirations are currently focussed on technology change and voluntary behaviour change. The former is illustrated by our promotion of low carbon vehicles and in…

20 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures (a) are being taken to ensure that the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow are unaffected by congestion and (b) will be introduced in its revision of the Report on Proposals and Policies in relation to a wider strategy to reduce transport emissions.

Answer · Keith Brown: First, significant investment by the Scottish Government in transport infrastructure projects including the M74 completion project, the Airdrie to Bathgate rail project, the Paisley Corridor Improvements, Fastlink rapid bus transit, and Dalmarnock Station ref…

20 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken in relation to transport in Glasgow to improve air quality ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is working closely with Glasgow City Council, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and other partners to improve air quality in Glasgow. A number of measures are being implemented to reduce air pollution in the City, including: A …

20 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the UK Government’s definition of a good quality combined heat and power station as one that reaches a minimum efficiency level of 35%.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Stations located anywhere in the UK and which wish to accredit as combined heat and power (CHP) schemes for the purposes of demonstrating eligibility for the additional Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) which are available for renewable CHP schemes mus…

20 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote credit unions as an alternative to pay day loans. 

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is committed to working with stakeholders, including credit unions, to assist those who are suffering from financial difficulty due, in whole or in part, to high interest credit, particularly pay day loans. We recognise that credit un…

19 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-10759 by Paul Wheelhouse on 12 November 2012, whether the Forestry Commission Scotland's awareness raising work with staff and stakeholders raised the issue of Chalara fraxinea.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The issue of Chalara fraxinea was raised with stakeholders at awareness raising events, such as Forest Health Days, in the context of the range of tree health threats that we are facing. Similar discussions have taken place with staff at management meeting an…

19 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-10759 by Paul Wheelhouse on 12 November 2012, with which stakeholders the Forestry Commission Scotland undertook awareness raising work.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Forestry Commission Scotland works with Forest Research to undertake awareness raising work through Forest Health Days, which are open to forest managers, local authority and National Park staff, community groups and others with an interest in woodland manage…

19 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has had with the UK Government in the last year regarding Chalara fraxinea.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Over the past year the Scottish Government (through Forestry Commission Scotland and the SG Plant Health Team) has communicated with the UK Government on Chalara fraxinea, and various other tree health issues, by participating in the Forestry Commission Biose…

19 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-09443 by Richard Lochhead on 14 September 2012, whether it has held a meeting with the fishing industry and the main retailers regarding the suspension of Scottish mackerel’s Marine Stewardship Council certificate.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: A meeting between the fishing industry and the main retailers was scheduled for 5 November. However, since discussions on the mackerel stock between the European Fisheries Commissioner, Maria Damanaki, and the Icelandic, Norwegian and Faroes Fisheries ministe…

19 Nov 2012 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many convictions there have been since 2009 for proxy purchasing of alcohol in Fife.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: From the available information on the Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database, in the Fife Police force area there were 22 convictions in total during the financial years 2009-10 to 2011-12, where the main offence was proxy purchasing of alcohol. Ov…

14 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many Fife Drug Court appearances at (a) Kirkcaldy and (b) Dunfermline Sheriff Court were called but adjourned for lack of court time in the last five years.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.

14 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many days the Fife Drug Court has sat at (a) Kirkcaldy and (b) Dunfermline Sheriff Court in the last five years.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.

14 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Fife Drugs Court in Kirkcaldy will be closed as a result of changes proposed in the Scottish Court Service's consultation on court structures.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.

14 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many summary procedures without a jury at (a) Kirkcaldy and (b) Dunfermline Sheriff Court were called but adjourned for lack of court time in the last five years.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.

14 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many jury trials at (a) Kirkcaldy and (b) Dunfermline Sheriff Court were called but adjourned for lack of court time in the last five years.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.

9 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-09471 by Fergus Ewing on 24 September 2012, whether it will consider evidence from the rest of the UK or other temperate marine ecosystems in the sustainability appraisal.

Answer · John Swinney: The sustainability appraisal is concerned with the broader environmental, social and economic impacts on Scotland of the proposals for designating new nature conservation MPAs. This Appraisal will draw on a wide and varied evidence base. In cases where existi…

9 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-09470 by Fergus Ewing on 24 September 2012, what it is doing to develop quantitative analyses of the benefits of marine protected areas.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Socio-economic assessments as part of an overall sustainability appraisal will identify what activities currently take place in potential nature conservation MPAs, and estimate the potential economic and social consequences arising from any potential interact…

9 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Scotland is a globally important location for seabirds.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Yes. Scotland supports a number of very large seabird breeding colonies and a large proportion of the international breeding populations of several species, notably gannet, Manx shearwater and great skua.

9 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what correspondence it has received from members of the public regarding the inclusion of seabirds in the marine protected area process.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Between 1 September 2012 and 14 November 2012 the Scottish Government has received 737 emails and letters from members of the public regarding the inclusion of seabirds in the marine protected area network.

9 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many marine protected sites are designated for the protection of foraging seabirds.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: 47 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and a further 17 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) provide protection for seabirds. 31 seabird colony Special Protection Areas (SPAs) have marine extensions. These extensions encompass areas used for maintenance a…

9 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) policy and (b) management tools it has available to help stop the decline in Scotland’s seabird numbers.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-11140 on 20 November 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamenta…

9 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Scottish Natural Heritage's new Trend Note, Seabirds in Scotland, indicating a continuing decline in Scotland’s seabird numbers and what action it plans to take to prevent further decline.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The overall trend outlined in the SNH report is very concerning even if some colonies in Scotland are not experiencing the general declines observed in this report. The factors that are causing seabird declines are complex and may be a result of changes in f…

7 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how its definition of sustainable economic growth takes account of the five principles of sustainable development as set out in the UK shared framework for sustainable development.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-10996 on 20 November 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamenta…

7 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government in what ways its definition of sustainable economic growth differs from a measure of aggregate GDP growth.

Answer · John Swinney: Our definition of sustainable economic growth is wider than just aggregate GDP growth. The Government economic strategy identifies the key drivers of sustainable economic growth – Productivity, Participation, and Population, alongside our desired characterist…