Parliamentary questions
Ms Rosemary Byrne
600 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
18 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of total electricity consumption in Ayrshire is currently generated by wind turbines, giving the comparative figures for electricity consumption and the amount generated by wind farms.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES), prepared by the Department of Trade and Industry, is currently unable to publish regional data on the supply and consumption of electricity. Ways in which regional and sub-regional data might be collected in future …
17 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-8414 by Ross Finnie on 4 June 2004, where each of the 22 community groups awarded grants in the last two years for building upgrades are located.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The groups awarded grants for building upgrades are located across rural Scotland. The table indicates the location by local authority.</p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 width=219> <tr> <td> <p>Shetland</p> </td> <td> <p…
17 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-8420 by Euan Robson on 4 June 2004, what level of funding it provided for Children in Scotland's “Growing up in Rural Scotland” programme in 2001 and what subsequent funding has been allocated to this project since that date.
Answer · Euan Robson: The allocated funding from the Scottish Executive for this project in 2001 and subsequently has been:</p><p>From 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2003: £53,333.</p><p>From 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004: £26,667.</p><p>From 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005: £27,334.</p>
17 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-8422 by Ms Margaret Curran on 4 June 2004, where the seven credit unions with head offices in rural areas are located.
Answer · Margaret Curran: The seven credit unions with head offices in rural areas are:</p><p>Strathbogie Credit Union, Linden Centre, Huntly, AB54 4SH. </p><p>Alness Credit Union, Alness Library, Averon Centre, Alness, Ross-shire IV17 0QE.</p><p>Fraserburgh Credit Union, c/o J.I.C. B…
17 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether horse passports will contain a declaration about whether or not the horse is intended for human consumption and, if so, who will be required to make that declaration.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-9141 answered on 29 June 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliame…
17 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what process will apply to the passports of horses slaughtered in Britain.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-9141 answered on 29 June 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliame…
17 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive in what languages horse passports will be published.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-9141 answered on 29 June 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliame…
17 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much the horse passport scheme will cost.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-9141 answered on 29 June 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliamen…
17 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to seek a derogation from the European Union in respect of horses and donkeys being exported for the horsemeat trade.
Answer · Ross Finnie: None. We are not aware of any horses and donkeys being exported from Scotland for the horsemeat trade.</p>
17 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what safeguards it will introduce to prevent forgery of horse passports.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-9141 answered on 29 June 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliame…
17 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce fines for horse owners who do not have passports for their horses and at what level any such fines will be set.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Under the proposed new regulations, owners who do not have passports for their horses shall be liable (a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum of £5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or both; or (b) o…
17 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-6338 by Colin Boyd QC on 15 March 2004, where, and when, the 15 pollution incidents leading to convictions for Scottish Water took place.
Answer · Colin Boyd: The 15 pollution incidents leading to convictions for Scottish Water occurred at the following times and places:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <tr> <td> <p>Date of Incident</p> </td> <td> <p>1.1 Place of Incident</p> </td> </tr> <tr> …
17 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what input it will have into the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's study into the use of pesticides.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The scope of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution’s study on pesticides and bystander exposure which was announced on 16 June 2004 has still to be determined. It is my understanding that ministers in devolved areas will be invited to submit evidenc…
17 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a scheme whereby residents living next to farms can be notified in advance of pesticide use.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Advance notice of pesticide usage is a legal requirement when aerial spraying of crops takes place. The approval conditions for certain pesticides, notably sulphuric acid, contain detailed requirements for notification and the provision of notices. Extending…
17 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce measures to require growers and farmers to make any records of pesticide use available to the public via a third party.
Answer · Ross Finnie: There are currently no plans to make records of individual growers and farmers’ pesticide use available to the public via a third party, however this is an issue that we may explore as part of the revision of the <i>Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pestic…
17 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce measures to require growers and farmers to make any records of pesticide use available to the public.
Answer · Ross Finnie: There are currently no plans to make records of individual growers and farmers’ pesticide use available to the public, however this is an issue that we may explore as part of the revision of the <i>Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and …
17 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce measures to require growers and farmers to keep records of pesticides used on crops.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The <i>Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Holdings</i>, (the <i>Green Code</i>), currently recommends that users of pesticides keep records of all operations involving the application of pesticides. The code is currently being revise…
16 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what training farriers receive to allow them to carry out couping of horses.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-9100 on 28 June 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/searc…
16 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many farriers currently carry out couping of horses.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-9100 on 28 June 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_…
16 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what training vets receive to allow them to carry out couping of horses.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-9100 on 28 June 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_…
16 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive under what specific veterinary conditions couping of horses is carried out.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-9100 on 28 June 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_…
16 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many vets in Scotland carried out couping of horses in the last year.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-9100 on 28 June 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search…
16 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what breeds of horses were couped in the last year.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-9100 on 28 June 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_…
16 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what regulations are in place in respect of the couping of horses.
Answer · Ross Finnie: With the exception of the Highlands and Islands, the Farriers Act 1975 requires that any farriery must only be carried out by a registered farrier. The Scottish Executive is reviewing this legislation and will be issuing a consultation paper in the autumn see…
15 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to initiate legislation in the Parliament similar to the Ragwort Control Act 2003.
Answer · Ross Finnie: A framework for taking action to control the spread of ragwort already exists in Scotland, under powers conferred by the Weeds Act 1959. Each year, the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department undertakes an assessment of thelevel of the pro…
15 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support the research and development of a blood test for ragwort poisoning similar to that which is being developed at the University of Liverpool.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive does not currently have any plans to support the research and development of a blood test for ragwort poisoning.</p>
15 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what research is currently being undertaken by its Environment and Rural Affairs Department into the effects of ragwort.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department is not currently undertaking any research into the effects of ragwort.</p>
15 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what institutions in Scotland are currently undertaking research into the effects of ragwort.
Answer · Ross Finnie: To our knowledge, there are no institutions in Scotland undertaking research into the effects of ragwort.</p>
15 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what levels of funding are currently available to institutions undertaking research into the effects of ragwort.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive gives approximately £45 million annually to support institutions undertaking agricultural and biological research. The Environment and Rural Affairs Department has not commissioned any research into the effects of ragwort. Should a need…
7 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it uses in determining grant levels for renewable energy development.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative provides funding for small scale renewable energy projects. The scheme is administered on behalf of the Executive by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Energy Saving Trust. Applications are as…