Parliamentary questions
David Stewart
1,651 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
24 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is planned to encourage individual householders to reduce waste and increase recycling.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: At a local level local authorities are primarily responsible for delivering campaigns to encourage recycling and waste reduction.</p> <p >On a national level the Scottish Government provides funding to the Waste Aware Scotland programme as part of our commit…
24 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many civic amenity sites there are in each local authority area.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The information requested is provided in the following table.</p> <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=403 > <thead> <tr > <td width=160 > <p align=center >Local Authority</p> </td> <td width=243 > <p align=center >Number o…
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the best estimates are of the (a) direct, (b) staff and (c) ancillary costs to Scottish Natural Heritage for each year of the beaver re-introduction trial.
Answer · Michael Russell: Scottish Natural Heritage’s (SNH) participation in the beaver trial is set out in the conditions of the licence. SNH is currently identifying the core elements that need to be monitored during the trial. However, although it has the key role in coordinating s…
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the risks of beavers carrying diseases which may affect the wild salmon population and what specific measures are in place to minimise the risks.
Answer · Michael Russell: Gyrodactylus salaris (G. salaris) is a parasite of fish which requires a fish host to survive. Beavers are considered to be only potential external carriers of the parasite (i.e. G. salaris does not parasitise beavers).</p> <p >While in the statutory six mo…
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in view of the fact that the beaver is protected and cannot therefore be culled, how beavers would be removed if serious problems emerge during their trial re-introduction.
Answer · Michael Russell: Guidance from the European Commission makes it clear that small populations of an animal species introduced deliberately or accidentally by man to locations where they would not have spread to naturally in the foreseeable future should be considered to be out…
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what communication and discussion has taken place with the European Commission about the possible effects of the re-introduction of beavers on the Atlantic Oakwoods special areas of conservation and what the view of the commission is.
Answer · Michael Russell: SNH provided advice to the Scottish Government regarding the Atlantic Oakwoods Special Area of Conservation in line with the requirements of Article 6.3 of the Habitats Directive as transposed by regulation 48 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) R…
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take to ensure that the re-introduction of beavers does not adversely affect the Atlantic Oakwoods special areas of conservation.
Answer · Michael Russell: The licence given to the SWT and RZSS includes 31 conditions. A significant number of these conditions were included as a result of an appraisal of the beaver trial undertaken by Scottish Natural Heritage in relation to the special area of conservation (SAC) …
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why it is not fully funding the costs for the trial re-introduction of beavers, with the Scottish Wildlife Trust being responsible for the management and fundraising for the project.
Answer · Michael Russell: This trial reintroduction of beavers is a project that was devised and proposed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. It is right therefore that these organisations should bear the cost of the project. Scottish Natural H…
18 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to underwrite the costs for the trial re-introduction of beavers should sufficient funds not be raised for the project by the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
Answer · Michael Russell: There are no plans for the Scottish Government to underwrite the cost of the trial reintroduction of beavers should insufficient funds be raised by the project partners, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.</p>
12 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list (a) applications and (b) consents in 2007 for activities requiring registration under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 in European wildlife sites and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, identifying (i) whether SNH was consult…
Answer · Michael Russell: The following table shows the number of registrations under the Controlled Activities Regulations, split between the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) regions, granted in 2007 within (i) European wildlife sites (Special Areas of Conservation (SACs…
12 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the effect on European wildlife sites of activities requiring a registration under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 is assessed in combination with the effects of other plans or projects under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulation…
Answer · Michael Russell: The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 require all competent authorities to consider the effects of any plan or project, either alone or in combination with the effects of other plans or projects, that may be likely to have a significan…
12 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the effect on European wildlife sites of activities permitted under the General Binding Rules of the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 are assessed in combination with the effects of other plans or projects under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, …
Answer · Michael Russell: In order for an activity to be authorised under a general binding rule the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) must be satisfied that the activity will not have a significant adverse effect on the water environment. Should the concentration of minor…
12 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish Environment Protection Agency fulfils the requirements of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended) in relation to European wildlife sites for activities permitted under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005.
Answer · Michael Russell: The responses to questions S3W-14139, S3W-14138 and S3W-14137 on 20 June 2008, </b>outline how the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) fulfils the requirements of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended) in relation…
3 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to deal with the extra 9,000 tonnes of CO2 created from the abolition of tolls on the Forth Road Bridge.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The new traffic management arrangements at the Forth Road Bridge came into effect on 26 May and it is too early to assess the traffic and other impacts of the abolition of tolls. Any environmental impacts of the changes arising from the abolition of the tolls…
3 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has given to CalMac Ferries Ltd and Northlink Ferries Ltd regarding the use of oil.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Under the terms of the ferry contracts between Scottish ministers and CalMac Ferries Ltd and NorthLink Ferries Ltd, the Scottish Government is required to pay additional grant by way of fuel supplement to cover any increase in fuel cost above the agreed level…
3 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed Scottish Climate Change Bill will include all (a) greenhouse gases and (b) aviation and shipping.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We are currently considering which gases to include in the 80% target in the proposed Scottish Climate Change Bill. The responses to the consultation are being reviewed and further evidence gathered in order to inform this decision.</p> <p >We stated in the …
3 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to make a determination on the proposed Beauly to Denny transmission line.
Answer · Jim Mather: The main public sessions of the Beauly to Denny line public inquiry concluded on 20 December 2007 and associated hearings connected with land acquisition and the sub-station at Beauly concluded in May of this year. Following the closure of the inquiry, the re…
27 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has ruled out a ban on snaring.
Answer · Michael Russell: Following an extensive period of consultation the Scottish Government decided that the balance of argument was in favour of allowing snaring to continue, subject to further regulation to improve animal welfare. This was set out in the statement of 20 February…
27 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on snaring since the Minister for Environment’s statement to the Parliament on 20 February 2008 (Official Report, c.6079-91).
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government is establishing a working group to develop the detail of new legislation to regulate the use of snares. The group will include land management and animal welfare groups. It is expected that the group will submit proposals later this ye…
27 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Environment has taken any advice to determine whether Scotland breaches the EU habitats directive by indiscriminate use of snaring of European protected species, such as otters.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government is satisfied that where snaring is carried out according to best practice, it is lawful. Intentional or reckless snaring of European protected species is a criminal offence.</p>
27 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether an early goal of implementing the recommendations of the report, Natural Justice: A Joint Thematic Inspection of the Arrangements in Scotland for Preventing, Investigating and Prosecuting Wildlife Crime, by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland and the Inspectorate of Prose…
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Police officer training is an operational matter for Chief Constables to determine. The recommendations of the report <i >Natural Justice: A Joint Thematic Inspection of the Arrangements in </i><i >Scotland</i><i > for Preventing, Investigating and Prosecut…
27 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how quickly each police force in Scotland can appoint a wildlife crime co-ordinator.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The deployment of personnel is an operational matter for individual Chief Constables to determine. The recommendations of the report Natural Justice: A Joint Thematic Inspection of the Arrangements in Scotland for Preventing, Investigating and Prosecuting Wil…
27 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the implementation of recommendations of the report, Natural Justice: A Joint Thematic Inspection of the Arrangements in Scotland for Preventing, Investigating and Prosecuting Wildlife Crime, by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland and the Inspectorate of Prosecution in Sc…
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government in conjunction with Scottish Natural Heritage will provide limited funding over the next two years to enable PAW to take a more active short term role supporting projects promoting good practice in wildlife crime enforcement.</p> <p >…
27 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for the implementation of the report, Natural Justice: A Joint Thematic Inspection of the Arrangements in Scotland for Preventing, Investigating and Prosecuting Wildlife Crime, by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland and the Inspectorate of Prosecution in Sco…
Answer · Michael Russell: The Organisational changes recommended for the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW), will be put in place over the summer.</p> <p >Similarly those recommendations relating to the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), where not in pla…
15 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12410 by Shona Robison on 9 May 2008, whether it will provide a breakdown on an annual basis of the number of hospital admissions for diabetic conditions.
Answer · Shona Robison: The specific information requested is not available centrally because it is not possible to determine the type of diabetes (type 1 and type 2) from SMR01 hospital admission data, as the ICD10 coding system only allows categorisation of the majority of people …
2 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the eligibility criteria are for communities applying to the Climate Challenge Fund.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Climate Challenge Fund is due to open for applications in the next few weeks, at that point guidance and the outline of eligibility for communities wishing to apply for the fund will be announced.</p>
2 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Climate Challenge Fund will open to applications.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Climate Challenge Fund is due to open for applications in the next few weeks, at that point guidance and the outline of eligibility for communities wishing to apply for the fund will be announced.</p>
2 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what policy advice it has provided to Caledonian MacBrayne in respect of the use of low emission fuel, in light of the forthcoming climate change bill.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: To date the Scottish Government has not provided any specific policy advice to Calmac Ferries Ltd in respect of the use of low emission fuel, in light of the forthcoming Climate Change Bill. We will consider that issue as part of our overall response to the r…
2 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current tender contract with Caledonian MacBrayne allows for the increased cost of fuel.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The contract between the Scottish ministers and CalMac Ferries Ltd for the operation of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services sets out the procedures for dealing with variations in fuel costs. Under the terms of clause 4.8 of the contract, an annual budget is…
30 Apr 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the regional transport partnerships’ revenue and capital budgets were in (a) 2005-06, (b) 2006-07 and (c) 2007-08.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The regional transport partnerships (RTP) revenue and capital budgets for (a) 2005-06, (b) 2006-07 and (c) 2007-08 were as follows:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td valign=top > <p align=center >Year</p> </td…