Parliamentary questions
Rob Gibson
971 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
7 Oct 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-9840 by Mr Frank McAveety on 26 August 2004, which bodies and institutions are taking action in relation to the recommendations of the Committee of Experts on the application of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages as these relate…
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Executive is working to develop a national languages strategy to provide a framework for action in relation to Scots, as well as other languages. Along with other government departments, we shall report to the Council of Europe in June 2005 on progress to…
1 Oct 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to remove any loopholes in its legislation for community land purchases that could potentially prevent communities buying out the full value of estates’ assets due to landowners leasing key portions of estates to companies controlled on their behalf.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to answer given to question S2W-10902 on 8 November 2004. 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/we…
28 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce an interim measure prior to consultation on a permanent replacement for the Livestock Improvement Scheme to reassure crofters that there will be continuity of beef cattle production.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: On 28 September 2004 my predecessor Allan Wilson announced the detailed arrangements for an interim scheme to provide grants and access to bull hire from the stud farm, to enable crofters to plan for the forthcoming season.</p><p>The relevant news release can…
28 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the single-crewing of ambulances will end.
Answer · Andy Kerr: Where the Scottish Ambulance Service assesses that an area should be served by an accident and emergency unit, then a double crewed unit is what should be provided. There may be occasions where, for example, a member of staff reports sick at short notice and…
28 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reform the Land Court.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: There are no plans to reform the Scottish Land Court. Its functions have been extended in relation to agricultural holdings and environmental designations and the Executive is proposing to do likewise in relation to crofting. The enhanced role of the court in…
28 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that local people and communities can benefit from ownership of the means to produce renewable energy.
Answer · Jim Wallace: We strongly support the principle of local communities benefiting from ownership of renewable energy developments. Highlands and Islands Enterprise is pioneering a scheme that will enable communities within its area to own or share in renewables developments…
20 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made provision for any expense likely to be incurred when communities seek to establish township boundaries ahead of launching bids for community land.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: No such provision has been made.</p>
20 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it places on having a fully-functioning health service in areas seeking to attract economic development.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive believes it is important to have high quality health care available throughout Scotland.</p>
6 Aug 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why Her Majesty's Government's and its Scottish edition of the Preparing for Emergencies booklet is not available in Gaelic; when a Gaelic edition will be produced, and how it will be distributed.<p>The member has provided the following Gaelic translation:<p>A dh'fhaighneachd de Riaghalta…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: AScottish Gaelic edition of the booklet can be found on the Planning for Emergencieswebsite (<a href="http://www.preparingforemergencies.gov.uk/">http://www.preparingforemergencies.gov.uk</a>).Copies can be downloaded from this site. Alternatively hard copies…
1 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Culture Commission has been asked by the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport to take evidence from individuals and organisations and, if so, in what way this will be done.
Answer · Frank McAveety: Yes. The Commission willinvolve people across the country in carrying out the detailed tasks ofreviewing the cultural sector, examining research, canvassing opinion andexploring options as outlined in its remit.</p>
1 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the arrangements whereby the Culture Commission can be contacted and when its contact details will be published.
Answer · Frank McAveety: Yes. The Cultural Commissionis in the process of establishing an office at Broughton High Schooland developing its website. The Cultural Commission can be contacted at Broughton High School,Carrington Road, Edinburgh, EH4 1EG. Further information can be obtai…
23 Jun 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I met with Dr David Farquarson of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in October 2003.</p><p>The Executive is also represented on the Royal College of Obstetricians andGynaecologists Scottish Committee, who meet regularly.</p><p>Two represen…
21 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether representatives of deer management groups submit reports of their activities to ministers, Scottish Natural Heritage or the Deer Commission for Scotland and, if so, when.
Answer · Ross Finnie: No reports of DMG activities are officially submitted to ministers, Scottish Natural Heritage or the Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS). DCS representatives are, however, usually invited to attend DMG meetings where deer management issues are discussed.</p>
21 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when and how the system of deer management groups was established and who is eligible to be members of such groups.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Deer Management Groups (DMGS) are voluntary bodies comprising estates and land owning interests who undertake collaborative management of deer in a specific geographic area. Their formation was promoted by the Red Deer Commission, now the Deer Commission for …
21 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what input it had in respect of the formation of deer management groups.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive has had no direct input in respect of the formation of deer management groups. This is a matter for individual estates to take forward with the Deer Commission for Scotland which is always available to offer advice on setting up such gr…
21 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the calculation of net farm income for 2004.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Net farm incomes for 2003-04will be published towards the end of January 2005.</p>
21 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what net farm income was in each year from 1999 to 2003.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Net farm incomes for the period 1999-2000 to 2003-04 were:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <tr> <td> <p>1999-2000</p> </td> <td> <p>£2,900</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>2000-01</p> </td> <td> <p>£6,100</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p…
21 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how net farm income relates to actual farm income.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The relationship between netfarm income, cash income, occupiers net income and net profit may be found on page4 of <i>Farm Incomes in Scotland 2002-03</i> published by the Scottish Executive. This publication may also be found on the Scottish Executive’s webs…
21 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the formula for net farm income is derived.
Answer · Ross Finnie: A flow chart explaining hownet farm income is derived may be found on page 4 of <i>Farm Incomes in Scotland2002-03</i> published by the Scottish Executive. This publication may also be found on the Scottish Executive’s website.</p>
16 Jun 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to purchase land for affordable housing.
Answer · Margaret Curran: Communities Scotland provides funding for the acquisition of land for affordable housing as an integral part of its development programme. Since 1999 we have invested £1.3 billion in the development programme leading to the approval of 34,000 new affordable h…
16 Jun 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which supplies of milk on sale in supermarkets are GM-free.
Answer · Tom McCabe: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that milk on sale in some supermarkets will be from animals consuming feed that contains approved GM ingredients, but details of specific amounts are not available. No milk is produced from GM animals.</p>
15 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what immediate steps it will be taking to pursue with EU officials the scope for flexibility in the beef national envelope regime, as recommended by the Environment and Rural Development Committee in its 7th Report 2004 (Session 2), Report on the Implementation of the Reform of the Common…
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive have discussed the question of use of the beef national envelope with EU Commission officials on several occasions since February, when the announcement was made about use of the envelope. While there is flexibility in its use, notably in terms …
10 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Chief Executive of EventScotland has visited every region; when he visited each region, and when he plans to visit any regions he has not visited.
Answer · Frank McAveety: The Chief Executive of EventScotland has visited every area tourist board region except Dumfries and Galloway, the Orkney Islands, the Western Isles and the Shetland Islands. The dates of his first visit to each area is given:</p><table class=MsoNormalTable b…
10 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether EventScotland has any plans to publish a manual which details the procedures for applying for grants to run a festival.
Answer · Frank McAveety: EventScotland publishes detailed information which explains how to apply to EventScotland for support for events, and copies are available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 32233). This advice is also available at <a href="http://www.eventscot…
10 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much outstanding funding EventScotland has available to finance events this year.
Answer · Frank McAveety: This year, EventScotland will receive £3 million funding to support events.</p>
9 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has in respect of planning and routing in relation to transmission from offshore renewable power generation sources to land.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: While there is no planning process that applies specifically to the installation of these cables, they will be subject to consent under the Coast Protection Act and the Food and Environment Protection Act. Both of these functions are devolved.</p>
9 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what rate per mile the Crown Estate Commissioners would levy on undersea cable transmission to an appropriate landfall.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Crown Estate deals with licences for undersea transmission cabling on a case-by-case basis and there is no fixed charge or rate per mile.</p>
9 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Scottish and Southern Energy plc about the possible transmission of offshore wind power generated at the Beatrice platform in the Moray Firth (a) by undersea cable to an appropriate landfall on the Dounreay to Beauly 275KW power line and (b) by undersea ca…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-08905 on 22 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.parliament.uk/web…
9 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of 400KW pylon lines from (a) Denny to the Scottish border and (b) Denny (i) on land to Galloway and (ii) via an undersea cable to Northern Ireland.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-08905 on 22 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.parliament.uk/web…
9 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of 400KW pylon lines from Ardmair Bay, Wester Ross, to Beauly and from Beauly to Denny.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-08905 on 22 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.parliament.uk/web…