Parliamentary questions
Ms Rosemary Byrne
600 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
5 Mar 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which communities will benefit from Tackling Drugs Misuse, the #3 million project announced by the Minister for Communities on 5 February 2004.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>The allocation of Tackling Drugs Misuse funding has been made to 36 partnerships to benefit communities in these areas. However, the targeting…
3 Mar 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend the current concessionary fare scheme to cover through ticketing on trains and ferries.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: As indicatedin the partnership agreement, we are committed to extending concessionarytravel on public transport, including the introduction of a free nationaloff-peak bus scheme for older people and people with disabilities. We will alsocontinue to support ea…
19 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the disposal of biosolids will be subject to regulation under the proposed Strategic Environmental Assessment bill.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The proposed StrategicEnvironmental Assessment (SEA) bill remains open to further public consultationand Parliamentary process. The intension of the SEA bill is to ensure that thepositive and negative environmental consequences of strategic level plans are fu…
19 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are for receiving funding for projects using biosolids.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Assistance to grow shortrotation coppice as an energy crop is currently available under the woodland grantscheme and the new Scottish forestry grants scheme. Both schemes are managed bythe forestry commission Scotland. Assistance is also available from the bi…
19 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what levels of funding Scottish Coal has received for projects using biosolids.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Scottish Coal have receivedno public funds to date in respect of their proposals to produce biosolids. Iunderstand that the company has made an application to the biomass capitalgrant scheme under the new and renewable energy programme managed by theDepartmen…
19 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive how much funding is currently allocated to the Procurators Fiscal Service for prosecuting environmental pollution offences.
Answer · Colin Boyd: The Procurator FiscalService budget to carry out all of its functions, including the prosecution ofcrime, is £88.793 million for 2003-04 and £89.151 million for 2004-05. Budgetsare not ring-fenced in relation to the prosecution of particular types ofoffences.…
19 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive what prosecutions there have been in respect of sewage pollution in the last five years and which companies were involved.
Answer · Colin Boyd: In the last five years 26 reports by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) under section 30 F of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, relating to pollution of controlled waters by sewage, have resulted in the conviction of the following companies:</…
19 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what powers the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has to prosecute polluters of land, air and water courses.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish EnvironmentProtection Agency (SEPA) does not itself have powers of prosecution. SEPA’srole is to enforce various environmental protection legislation for which it isthe regulator, for example by issuing notices requiring certain works to beundert…
6 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive under what authority housing associations, such as the Ayrshire North Community Housing Organisation, charge owner-occupiers an annual estate management fee where no such charge has been levied before.
Answer · Margaret Curran: When Scottish Homes’ stocktransferred to housing associations, such as Ayrshire North Community HousingOrganisation, the feu superiority and the title to all the relevant commonareas also passed to the new landlord. The new landlord, as the feu superior,has t…
5 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5666 by Mr Jim Wallace on 28 January 2004, what the reasons are for the Open University increasing its fees to students when the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council has increased its grant to the University this year.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Open University is anautonomous institution and, as such, sets its course fee levels independently.However, I understand that the Open University has increased its course fees inline with inflation in the current year. Funding from the Scottish HigherEduc…
9 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which companies are involved in the disposal on land of human sewage.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to myanswer to question S2W-5392. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa">http://www.…
9 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive in which areas of Scotland human sewage is being disposed on land.
Answer · Ross Finnie: This information is not heldcentrally. Regulation of disposal of all organic wastes to land is anoperational matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.</p>
5 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be put in place to ensure the safety of pupils travelling from Hurlford, Mauchline, Catrine, Auckinleck and Cumnock to the proposed amalgamated St Joseph's and St Conval's secondary school site.
Answer · Peter Peacock: These are matters fordecision by East Ayrshire Council.</p>
5 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be put in place to ensure that pupils travelling from Hurlford, Mauchline, Catrine, Auckinleck and Cumnock to the proposed amalgamated St Joseph's and St Conval's secondary school site have access to all out-of-school activities.
Answer · Peter Peacock: These are matters fordecision by East Ayrshire Council.</p>
17 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it employs the proximity principle with regard to the disposal of human sewage.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to my answer to question S2W-5051 on 5 January 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/we…
17 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it employs the precautionary principle with regard to the disposal of human sewage.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5051 on 5 January 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.parliament.uk/web…
16 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what treatment human sewage has to undergo before disposal.
Answer · Ross Finnie: This is an operationalmatter for the Chief Executive of Scottish Water and I have asked him to writeto you about this matter.</p>
16 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are for licensing operators involved in the disposal of human sewage.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to myanswer to question S2W-5051 on 5 January 2004. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility forwhich can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/searc…
16 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what environmental safeguards are in place in respect of the disposal of human sewage.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The form the regulatoryregime takes depends on the activity being carried out. In the case of disposalof sewage sludge, spreading on agricultural land is governed by the Sludge (Usein Agriculture) Regulations 1989, land reclamation or improvement by the Waste…
16 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what training is required for workers involved in the disposal of human sewage.
Answer · Allan Wilson: No specific traininginstructions have been produced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)regarding this work. However, the HSE have published a leaflet entitled <i>Workingwith sewage: the health hazards: a guide for employers</i>.</p><p>This leaflet deals …
16 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the current planning regulations are in respect of the transfer of human sewage.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: The transporting of goods ormaterials is not normally a matter for the planning system. The extent to whichplanning legislation applies to the transfer of human sewage depends on theexact nature of the proposal and whether it involves “development” as defined…
16 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to dispose of human sewage from England in Scotland.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I have no knowledge of anyplans to dispose of human sewage from England in Scotland.</p><p>I am, however, aware of a proposalto import treated residues from waste water treatment plants (sewage sludge)from England in the restoration of a former opencast mine …
16 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its policies are in respect of the disposal of human sewage.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to S2W-5045 on 7 January 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/weba…
16 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the current planning regulations are in respect of the disposal of human sewage.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: The extent to which planninglegislation applies to the disposal of human sewage depends on the exact natureof the proposal and whether it involves “development” as defined in section 26of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.</p>
16 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the current statutory framework is in respect of the disposal of human sewage.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The statutory framework inrespect of the disposal of human sewage is described in <i>Water Quality andStandards Investment Priorities for </i><i>Scotland</i><i>’s WaterAuthorities 2002-2006</i>, a copy ofwhich is available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre…
4 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Children's Panels would have a role to play if the children of asylum seekers were to be taken into care under the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants etc.) Bill.
Answer · Euan Robson: Where a parent places achild in circumstances where concerns arise about the child’s welfare, it isopen to any person to refer the child to the principal reporter. Suchcircumstances could include parental hardship or homelessness as well aswhether the child c…
3 Dec 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with East Lothian Council regarding East Lothian public private partnership schools project.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Our role inall schools public private partnerships, including East Lothian’s, is toconsider councils’ initial bids for financial support on the basis of outline businesscases submitted, and, subsequently, to offer general advice and guidance asprojects progre…
19 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the procedure is to register a drug and alcohol rehabilitation unit with the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and what help is available towards such registration costs.
Answer · Tom McCabe: Drug and alcohol rehabilitationunits only have to register with the Care Commission if they fall within one of the definitions of care services currently regulated under the Regulation ofCare (Scotland) Act 2001. Those who wish to provide regulated care servi…
14 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on providing family support facilities for drug and alcohol abuse and how such facilities are funded.
Answer · Hugh Henry: The provision and funding offamily support facilities is a matter for discussion at local level, betweenthe family support group, the local drug and alcohol action team and itspartner agencies.</p><p>However, the Executive isstrongly committed to the support …
14 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is directed by drug and alcohol action teams towards family support facilities.
Answer · Hugh Henry: We do not hold informationcentrally on funding of local family support facilities by drug and alcohol actionteams: that is a matter for them and their constituent agencies.</p>