Parliamentary questions
Rob Gibson
971 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
7 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 will be published in Gaelic.<p>The member has provided the following Gaelic translation:</p>A’ faighneachd do Riaghaltas h-Alba cuin a bhios Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005 air fhoillseachadh anns a’ Ghàidhlig.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive ensured that at every stage of the parliamentary process the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill and supporting documents were available in Gaelic and English. The Act has also been translated into Gaelic and, before publication, the Scotti…
22 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate has been made by Forestry Commission Scotland of the (a) area and (b) locations of land on its estate that would be suitable for the creation of forest crofts.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: We are not aware of any criteria for classifying land as a forest or woodland croft; therefore Forestry Commission Scotland does not hold records for such a classification. Forestry Commission Scotland has therefore made no estimate of the area or locations o…
22 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the extent of Forestry Commission Scotlands estate is, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The following table provides details of Forestry Commission Scotland’s estate broken down by local authority area.</p> <p>A map providing a breakdown of woodlands managed by Forestry Commission Scotland, by local authority area, is available on the Commission…
22 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the launch of the National Forest Land Scheme, what estimate has been made of any increased demand for funding from the Scottish Land Fund from conservation and cultural heritage bodies wishing to make forest purchases additional to other community buy-outs before (a) 2007 an…
Answer · Nicol Stephen: Under the provisions of the National Forest Land Scheme recognised environmental, cultural heritage or recreational non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have the opportunity to buy land in certain circumstances.</p> <p>The Big Lottery Fund Scottish Land Fund…
22 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the launch of the National Forest Land Scheme, what estimate has been made of any increased demand for funding from the Scottish Land Fund for community forest purchases additional to other community buy-outs before (a) 2007 and (b) 2011.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: Community take up of the opportunity to purchase land under the National Forest Land Scheme is difficult to predict with any accuracy, as is any subsequent application for public assistance in funding purchase.</p> <p>The Executive is aware of a small number …
22 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the launch of the National Forest Land Scheme, how much land was (a) conveyed and (b) leased to local community groups from Forestry Commission Scotlands estate from 1997 to May 2005, broken down by locality.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The following tables provide details of how much of Forestry Commission Scotland’s estate has been (a) conveyed and (b) leased to local community groups broken down by locality. Also included is a table showing areas where Forestry Commission Scotland works c…
22 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the launch of the National Forest Land Scheme, whether Forestry Commission Scotland has identified how much land is in its estate, in what size of parcels and in what locations that may be of interest for community buy-outs.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The national forest estate, owned by Scottish ministers and managed by Forestry Commission Scotland, extends to 656,200 hectares (as recorded in <i>Forest</i><i> Facts & Figures, 2004</i>, published on 30 September 2004). The estate includes 601,016 hecta…
22 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish arrangements for the creation of forest crofts.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: Forestry Commission Scotland has set up the Forest Crofts Steering Group, comprising Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, the Crofters Commission, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Crofting F…
21 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact any renegotiation of the Common Agricultural Policy proposed by the Prime Minister to the EU Council of Ministers will have on farming and crofting in the Highlands and Islands.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The future of the Common Agricultural Policy has been raised in recent weeks in the context of EUmanagement over the medium to long-term and the 2007-13 financial perspective.No formal renegotiation is imminent but if any discussions do take place weshall ens…
21 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-16969 by Mr Tom McCabe on 10 June 2006, whether part of the monies to be released to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar under the Bellwin Scheme will be paid in advance of a final agreed settlement of storm damage costs.
Answer · Tom McCabe: Yes.</p>
21 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-16970 by Mr Tom McCabe on 10 June 2005, whether it will make an advance payment to public authorities in the Western Isles to enable storm damage repairs and renewals to commence during this summer.
Answer · Tom McCabe: I announced on 28 July 2005 that Comhairlenan Eilean Siar will receive initial funding of £5 million from the Executive. Thisfunding will enable continued work on repairs and improvements to the roads’ infrastructureand reimburse the Comhairle for the repair …
17 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the likely impact will be on future Gaelic-broadcasting funding decisions for educational programmes of the recent recommendation by Ofcom that a dedicated Scottish Gaelic digital channel be created.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The vast majority of Gaelic educationalprogrammes are funded by the Gaelic Media Service (GMS). Decisions about how muchfunding is provided for Gaelic educational programmes, in light of the recent Ofcomrecommendation or any other developments, is a matter fo…
17 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when its action group set up to find ways of recruiting and retaining Gaelic-medium teachers will report on a national action plan.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The Report of the Gaelic MediumTeachers Action Group, which was established by Scottish ministers earlier thisyear, will be published this summer.</p>
17 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the decision of the European Council of Foreign Ministers to allow the usage of all official lesser-used languages in European institutions, with the result that they can be used at Council meetings and by the Commission, that legislation will be translated into lesser-…
Answer · Peter Peacock: The EU Council of Ministers has recently adopted a set of conclusions about the administrative arrangements which might be made to facilitate the official use of lesser-used languages. Scottish Ministers will be seeking further clarification on the practical …
14 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many small landholders there are, as defined by the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act 1911, broken down by county.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive doesnot hold information on such holdings in existence today.</p>
13 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many objections it has received in respect of the AMEC and British Energy wind farm proposal for the North Lewis peatlands.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Executive has received 4,150objections in response to the public consultation in respect of this application.Approximately 80% of these objections have been submitted by residents of theWestern Isles.</p>
31 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many crofters have received loans and grants towards (a) building and (b) improving their dwellings under the crofting house grant and loan schemes in each year since 1999.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The table below provides details of the grants and loans provided under Crofters Buildings and Grants Loan Scheme (CBGLS) (to December 2004) and Croft House Grant Scheme (CHGS) (from January 2005). Of the 188 new houses and 18 house improvements supported in …
31 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the financial package to repair and replace public property damaged in the January 2005 hurricane in the (a) Western Isles, (b) Highland, (c) Orkney Islands and (d) Shetland Islands local authority areas and in the rest of Scotland.
Answer · Tom McCabe: Subject to on-going discussions between the Scottish Executive and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, an initial announcement on the Executive’s contribution to a recovery package is planned for later this summer. Highland Council and Orkney Islands Council are plann…
31 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the cost of storm damage to public and private property in the January 2005 hurricane in the (a) Western Isles, (b) Highland, (c) Orkney Islands and (d) Shetland Islands local authority areas and in the rest of Scotland.
Answer · Tom McCabe: The Scottish Executive has made no such estimate. The Executive is in discussion with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar about the council’s planned recovery package following the January 2005 storm which relates to infrastructure repair costs and the costs of certain…
23 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with other regions outside the United Kingdom regarding the exchange of best practice on sustainable development.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-16822 on 2 June 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…
23 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is undertaking in respect of the exchange between regions of best practice on sustainable development.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-16822 on 2 June 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…
23 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider its decision not to join the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-16822 on 2 June 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…
23 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why it declined an invitation to join the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive maintains close links with the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development which comprises 24 regions from across the world. We receive their papers and one of my officials attended a conference which the network arrange…
21 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-12957 by Tavish Scott on 20 January 2005, whether it has reached a conclusion on whether to conduct a review of the Game (Scotland) Acts and, if so, when the review will commence, what its timescale will be and what opportunities will be available fo…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: These matters remain under active consideration and an announcement will be made shortly.</p>
8 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the process to make forest crofts available will be announced.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to my answer to question S2W-15869 on 5 May 2005. 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/webapp/wa.se…
8 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which bodies are involved in taking forward the ministerial commitment to make forest crofts available to applicants.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-15869 on 5 May 2005. 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.parliamentuk/webapp/wa.se…
8 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what process has been put in place to make forest crofts available from the Forestry Commission estate.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: A review of the land managed by Forestry Commission Scotland was carried out last year and ministers accepted the recommendation that “Forestry Commission Scotland, SEERAD and the Crofters Commission should jointly examine whether; and how, national forest es…
4 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether transportation costs and the higher price of ingredients are taken into account when allocating funds to local authorities in remote island and rural areas for the provision of school meals.
Answer · Euan Robson: The costs of service provision to rural areas are takeninto account within the local government settlement as a whole. In addition to severalindicators distributing money to rural authorities within the settlement, islandand rural authorities also receive a S…
4 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average price is of the ingredients used to make school meals in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in the (i) Highland Council, (ii) Argyll and Bute Council, (iii) Orkney Islands Council and (iv) Shetland Islands Council area.
Answer · Euan Robson: At present the Scottish Executivedoes not centrally collect data on the average price of ingredients used in Scottishschool meals.</p>
4 Apr 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any children have been unable to achieve their potential as a result of being taught only through the medium of English. The member has provided the following Scots translation: Tae speir at the Scottish Executive gin ony bairns hasnae been able tae rax their potential acause o be…
Answer · Peter Peacock: The Executive does not have any evidence to support this statement. It is the responsibility of schools and teachers to ensure that learning, teaching and assessment support all pupils’ progress and achievement, using whichever approaches and media best meet …