Parliamentary questions

Dr Alasdair Allan

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

5 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it will do to protect St Kilda from any rats that may be aboard the grounded trawler, Spinningdale.

Answer · Michael Russell: The St Kilda World Heritage Site is owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS). The Management Plan for the St Kilda WHS (World Heritage Site) includes a contingency plan for this type of emergency and NTS sent staff to the island to initiate …

5 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage and train more people to become weavers in the Harris Tweed industry.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of Harris Tweed to the economy of the Outer Hebrides. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and HIE Innse Gall, have worked with the Harris Tweed industry over a considerable period of time to support its dev…

5 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it will do to help to market Harris Tweed.

Answer · Jim Mather: HIE Innse Gall has approved financial assistance towards the establishment of two Harris Tweed production facilities on Lewis including an element aimed at encouraging product promotion and marketing activity. In addition, a Harris Tweed Industry Lia…

5 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the production capacity is of the Harris Tweed industry, in terms of the numbers of weavers available.

Answer · Jim Mather: We estimate Harris Tweed production capacity is 1.2 million metres (single width equivalent). A Harris Tweed Industry Liaison Group has recently been established to encourage producers, weavers, local government and government agencies work together to drive …

21 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Orkney and Shetland sheep stockholders are allowed to include adjoining seaweed grazing areas below the level of the mean high water spring tide level as part of their eligible forage areas.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: A derogation to claimforage against land below the mean high water spring tide level exists for the island of North Ronaldsay. This is the onlyarea within Orkney and Shetland that is permitted to claim within the inter-tidalzone. The derogation was granted d…

16 Jan 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to consider whether it would ever be realistically possible for NHS Western Isles to repay its cumulative deficits of £3.6 million.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I am encouraged by the progressthat has been made in recent times and there is a growing confidence that the NHSWestern Isles Health Board will achieve in-year financial balance for 2007-08. Once this key priority of in-yearbalance is delivered and sus…

14 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty’s Government over the sovereignty of Rockall and its associated sea area.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Governmenthas not made any representations to the UK Government concerning the sovereigntyof Rockall nor its 12nm territorial sea, both of which constitute recognised partsof Scotland.The Scottish Government has made representations to the…

7 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the conclusions are of its review of the Air Discount Scheme.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I am pleased to announce todaythat, following our review, the Scottish Government will now seek the agreementof the European Commission for continuation of the Air Discount Scheme (ADS) from1 April 2008 for another three years at the existing discount rate.</…

17 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what differences there are in eligible forage areas in sea-girt holdings in the Western Isles compared with those in Orkney and Shetland.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: For a definition of both eligibleforage areas and sea-girt land I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-6695on 29 November 2007. So far as we are aware there are no differences in thetreatment of sea-girt land as between Western Isles and Orkney and …

12 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for utilising empty housing in the highlands and islands, with particular emphasis on attracting a younger workforce to live and work in the Western Isles.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Local authorities, as strategichousing bodies are required to produce Local Housing Strategies which set out plansto address housing needs in their areas.In 2007 local authorities werespecifically asked to consider, when updating their Local Housing St…

3 Dec 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are for legislation on the marine historic environment.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The ScottishGovernment has formally withdrawn from the UK Heritage Protection Bill and willbe legislating in the Scottish Parliament, probably as part of a ScottishMarine Bill. We will continue to keep in touch with the UK Government so thatthe future legisla…

28 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many small businesses in the Western Isles parliamentary constituency will benefit from the proposed cut in business rates.

Answer · John Swinney: Information onsmall businesses in the form requested is not held centrally. However,information on the number and rateable value of non-domestic properties whichmay be eligible for relief under the Small Business Bonus scheme is availablefor the local authori…

19 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what constitutes “eligible forage areas” in relation to sea-girt holdings, such as exist on the eastern shores of the Hebrides.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The term “eligibleforage areas” relates primarily to the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS)qualifying criteria. LFASS eligible forage must be available throughout the year.Other land may also be claimed provided the land is available and accessible for…

19 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what descriptor it uses to establish the adequacy of medical staffing levels in GP practices in remote and rural settings, in light of the new contracts for such practices.

Answer · Shona Robison: It is for healthboards to ensure the quality of services from general practitioners. Boardsmust ensure that such services are available for all patients and the mostcommon approach is to enter into contractual arrangements with doctors. It isfor those who hav…

15 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether a question on the Scots language will be included in the 2011 census in Scotland, in the same way that a question on the Gaelic language is asked.

Answer · Jim Mather: The General RegisterOffice for Scotland (which is responsible for the Scottish census) included a questionabout the Scots language in a census test last spring but a final decision has notbeen taken. Under current plans, a formal proposal on the topics to be …

13 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, under the Scottish House Condition Survey, how many households would have been in fuel poverty if the average council tax bill used in the calculations had remained at 2002 levels, broken down by household type.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The information requestedrequires special analyses from the Scottish House Condition Survey data set. Itis estimated that programming and verification of the calculations will be completeby 19 December 2007. I will write the member when the analysisis complet…

13 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, according to the Scottish House Condition Survey, how many households would have been in fuel poverty in each year since 2002 if the average council tax bill used in the calculations had remained at 2002 levels.

13 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) new central heating systems in houses with no previous central heating and (b) replacement central heating systems have been installed under the central heating programme in each year since 2002.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked JamesHynd, Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. His response isas follows:The information requestedis shown in the following table:<table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td width=177 valign=…

23 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what responsibility homeowners have in respect of the upkeep of private service water pipes that extend beyond their property should they become damaged and what assistance is available to homeowners to meet the costs of this upkeep.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Scottish Water isresponsible for the maintenance of the public drinking water mains network up tothe communication pipe which normally, but not always, terminates at the boundaryof a property. Homeowners are responsible for the upkeep of the private servicepi…

23 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many properties have private service water pipes where the connection to the main communication water pipe extends well beyond the boundary of the property, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Information on mainsand associated drinking water pipe networks is held by Scottish Water. I have askedthe Chief Executive to consider your enquiry and respond to you directly.

3 Oct 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) about the criteria for nominations for Best Foreign Language film at the Oscars, in light of BAFTA’s decision to nominate no films in this category despite the Scottish Gaelic film, Seachd, being…

Answer · Linda Fabiani: I share the disappointmentfelt by many that Seachd was not put forward by BAFTA as the UK entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars.Whilst the Scottish Government has no direct influence over the decision makingprocess, the First Minister has wri…

28 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have waited for longer than four months for central heating to be installed following their initial application to the central heating programme since Scottish Gas was awarded the contract in October 2006.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:The Programme ManagingAgent (Scottish Gas) has indicated that 4,429 households have been waiting morethan four months since the date of their …

27 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting times are for disability adaptations to houses in each local authority area.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: This information isnot held centrally. Local authorities are not required to record this informationand any data that they do hold is unlikely to be comparable.

19 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to safeguard the future of the Harris tweed industry.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Governmentrecognises the importance of Harris Tweed to the economy of the Western Isles. Highlandsand Islands Enterprise (HIE) and HIE Innse Gall, have worked with the Harris Tweedindustry over a considerable period of time to support its develop…

19 Sep 2007 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out the options for implementing the curriculum for excellence within the two-year secondary system which exists in many parts of the Western Isles.

Answer · Maureen Watt: The Scottish curriculumis not based in statute and it is for local authorities and schools to decide howbest to deliver the curriculum in their local area.

10 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action ministers intend to take to ensure that the aims of land reform legislation are not superseded by the use of interposed leases in the case of Pairc on Lewis.

Answer · Michael Russell: Section 31(2) of the Crofting Reform etc Act 2007 amended part 3 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 to allow crofting community bodies the rightto acquire any interest in the land, thus preventing the use of interposedleases as a means of circumventing th…

17 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating systems have been installed in the Western Isles parliamentary constituency under the central heating programme when Eaga held the contract.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:Information is notheld by parliamentary constituency, but by main postcode area.The centralheating programme was introduced in Septembe…

17 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating systems have been installed in the Western Isles parliamentary constituency under the central heating programme since Scottish Gas was awarded the contract in October 2006.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:Information is notheld by parliamentary constituency, but by main postcode area.The Programme ManagingAgent (Scottish Gas) has indicate…

17 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the Western Isles parliamentary constituency have waited for longer than two months for central heating to be installed following their initial application to the central heating programme since Scottish Gas was awarded the contract in October 2006.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:Information is notheld by parliamentary constituency, but by main postcode area.The programmemanaging agent (Scottish Gas) has indicate…

16 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it believes that there would be any merit in drawing a clearer distinction between community and other windfarm applications in terms of the planning process.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Town and CountryPlanning (Scotland) Act 1997 provides that all planning applicationshave to be determined in accord with the development plan unless material considerationsindicate otherwise. It is for the planning authority or other decision maker todeci…