Parliamentary questions
Rob Gibson
971 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
3 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scotland Office has assured the Scottish Government that it agrees to the early removal of barriers to rapid progress on renewable energy productivity and transmission to help Scotland make deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government is working closely with UK Government counterparts and other partners across a range of issues to achieve Scotland''s renewable energy potential. We are encouraged by recently televised comments from the Minister of State for Energy an…
19 Nov 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the port infrastructure requirements and linked finance for launching tidal and wave power equipment in the Pentland Firth and other parts of Scotland have been identified, as required by the Renewables Action Plan timetable.
Answer · Jim Mather: Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are finalising the National Renewables Infrastructure Project (N-RIP) which is a key action from the Scottish Government''s Renewables Action Plan. This project is setting out a spatial framework for th…
16 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans are in hand for major bridges on the Highland trunk road network, other than the Kessock Bridge and Cromarty Bridge, to be resurfaced.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: It is anticipated that resurfacing will be necessary on the Connel Ferry Bridge over the next few years. Further investigation will be carried out before developing initial design proposals.</p>
16 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans are in hand to resurface the Cromarty Bridge.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Design work is progressing on a scheme for a major refurbishment of the Cromarty Bridge. The scheme is likely to include extensive repairs to structural defects, upgrading of concrete surfaces, renewing the bridge deck waterproofing system, complete resurfaci…
16 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive in which years since it became operational the Cromarty Bridge has been resurfaced.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: In 2000, two spans of the Cromarty Bridge were resurfaced. There are no records of any other resurfacing works being undertaken since it opened in 1979.</p>
16 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans are in hand to resurface the Kessock Bridge.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: A scheme to resurface the Kessock Bridge is currently being progressed, with a proposed start date for the works in the spring of 2011 at the earliest. However, the timing of the works is subject to the availability of funding and the outcome of local consult…
16 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive in which years since it became operational the Kessock Bridge has been resurfaced.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Kessock Bridge has not been fully resurfaced since construction in 1982. In 2000, 960 square metres of surfacing was replaced due to deterioration at the north end of the bridge.</p>
16 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what details it can provide of meetings since 18 September 2009 between employees of the Food Standards Agency and members of abc, the umbrella group for the agricultural biotechnology industry.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Food Standards Agency informs me that no such meetings have taken place since the meeting on 18<sup> </sup>September 2009.</p> <p >However, one meeting has taken place between employees of the Food Standards Agency and one member company of abc concerni…
16 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what details it can provide of meetings since 18 September 2009 between the head of the GM section of the Food Standards Agency and the head of abc, the umbrella group for the agricultural biotechnology industry.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Food Standards Agency informs me that no such meetings have taken place since the meeting on 18<sup> </sup>September 2009 </p> <p >I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28021 on 27 October 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions a…
6 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, following the publication of the UK Government’s response to its clean coal consultation, what its position is in relation to thermal guidance issues and in particular carbon capture and storage.
Answer · John Swinney: Under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, the building of any new thermal based stations would require consent from Scottish Government ministers. We published draft Section 36 guidance for thermal power stations in early 2009 for consultation. We publish…
22 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether applications to the Third Sector Resilience Fund from organisations that have been affected by the collapse of the Kaupthing Bank will be given special consideration.
Answer · John Swinney: All applicants to the Third Sector Resilience Fund must demonstrate that they are suffering financial hardship, and describe how the recession has significantly undermined or adversely affected their services. This can include circumstances where income from …
22 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive who will be responsible for the dispersal of funds from the Third Sector Resilience Fund.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has worked closely with third sector partners in developing the Third Sector Resilience Fund. The fund will be administered by the Scottish Government and all eligible applications will be considered by a panel which includes represent…
22 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are for charities to receive funds from the £1.7 million Third Sector Resilience Fund.
Answer · John Swinney: The fund will be available to third sector organisations which can demonstrate that they provide essential front-line services which, as a result of the recession, require short-term financial support to maintain these services. Examples of the how the recess…
8 Oct 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has undertaken research to determine what losses may be experienced by the food and drink industries if a GM contamination event affects Scottish produce.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: <i >This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor1008-01.htm">http://www.scott…
5 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is able to provide details of any meetings between the head of the GM section of the Food Standards Agency and the head of abc, the umbrella group for the agricultural biotechnology industry, in 2008 and 2009.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) informs me that the last meeting with the abc was on 18 September 2009, and was attended by the Head of the Novel Foods, Additives and Supplements Division and one other member of the division. Items discussed at the last meeti…
5 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware how often the head of the GM section of the Food Standards Agency and the head of abc, the umbrella group for the agricultural biotechnology industry, met in 2008 and have met in 2009.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Food Standards Agency informs me that officials meet with abc on average every six months.</p>
5 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the GM and novel foods section of the Food Standards Agency should be managed by a former employee of the GM seed multinational, Syngenta.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Recruitment and employment of staff is an internal matter for the Food Standards Agency, and is carried out in accordance with the Civil Service Code.</p>
5 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that consumer engagement on GM foods should be organised by a former employee of the GM seed multinational, Syngenta.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I am informed by the Food Standards Agency that an independent steering group, which will include stakeholders involved in different areas and with different views of GM, will be established to support and manage the consumer engagement project, and the group…
5 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers £750,000 spent by the Food Standards Agency on consumer engagement on GM foods to be a good use of public money.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has advised me that their department has been asked by the UK Government to carry out a programme of consumer engagement on GM food. The FSA informs me that this programme is at the initial stages of development and a budget ha…
29 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the Food Standards Agency issued Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed notification 2009.1256, concerning unauthorised GM linseed from Canada on 28 September 2009.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed notification 2009.1256, was issued because a food business''s check confirmed the presence of unauthorised genetically modified FP 967 linseed originating from Canada in cerea…
28 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on whether flax is grown in the United Kingdom and, if it is, what its main uses are.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: There is no commercially grown flax for its fibre in the UK. There is a small amount of linseed production, which also comes from the flax plant, in the UK. The main uses of linseed oil are as a drying agent in paints, resins, inks, soaps, varnishes, wood tre…
28 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on whether seed imports into the European Union are monitored for GM presence.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: EU seeds legislation does not require the monitoring of seed imports for adventitious GM presence (AGMP). However, the Scottish Government GM Inspectorate monitors the direct import of non-GM seed that is of high risk by conducting a twice yearly survey of se…
28 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether grain imports from other EU countries are monitored for GM presence.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that food and feed retailers and wholesalers are responsible for ensuring that the food and feed they sell does not contain unauthorised GM material. Enforcement of food law, and routine sampling and testing of feed …
28 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on whether EU-grown crops are produced using seed from Canada.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: EU seeds legislation requires that member states should ensure that they are notified of the particulars of any seed (to be used for multiplication purposes as opposed to grain) weighing over 2kgs which is directly imported from Canada or any other third coun…
28 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the origins are known of grain imported from other EU member states.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: When goods are imported from other European Union (EU) countries, they have free movement within the single market of the EU. However, retailers, wholesalers and importers are able to trace the origin of goods that have been imported through supply chain rec…
28 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of news of GM flax contamination, all imports of grain from Canada are monitored for GM presence and, if so, with what results.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that food and feed retailers and wholesalers are responsible for ensuring that the food and feed they sell does not contain unauthorised GM material. The agency has alerted relevant trade bodies and food businesses, a…
28 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Scotland has the authority and resources to test for GM flax contamination independently of the UK FSA.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that enforcement of food law is the responsibility of local authorities. Sampling and testing of food and feed is undertaken by local authorities under their own authority, without reference to central government. I …
14 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how much soya used in UK animal feed comes from (a) Brazil, (b) Argentina and (c) the United States of America.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The latest available confirmed figures show that in 2007 the volume of oil cake and meal of soya beans imported into the United Kingdom from Brazil was 731,122 tonnes, from Argentina 999,107 tonnes and from the United States of America 48,687 tonnes. The UK a…
14 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much soya used in Scottish animal feed comes from (a) Brazil, (b) Argentina and (c) the United States of America.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Research recently undertaken for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs suggests that at present the UK livestock sector is effectively dependent on imported soya feed, over 90% of which comes from Brazil and Argentina. In 2007-08 the UK imported …
14 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of total feed fed to farm animals is grass.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: This information is not held centrally. It would be difficult to do so in a meaningful way across species and varying systems of livestock management.</p>