Margaret McDougall

20 Feb 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage the roll-out of superfast broadband in rural areas.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The focus of the Scottish Government’s Step Change 2015 Programme is to address the digital divide by extending the infrastructure needed to deliver next generation broadband to those areas where the market will currently not go. These areas will be predomina…

20 Feb 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on subsidies for the expansion of rural broadband in each of the last five years.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government is committed to expanding broadband to rural areas. Over the last five years, we have spent £2.947 million on the Broadband Reach Programme, which delivered satellite broadband to rural communities. In addition, over £135,000 has been …

20 Feb 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage broadband providers to supply services to rural areas.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Through our Step Change 2015 programme, the Scottish Government will put in place infrastructure capable of delivering next generation broadband to those areas where the market will currently not go. This infrastructure will be entirely open access, enabling …

11 Feb 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what protection there is for young children in cases where allegations of sexual abuse have been made but no evidence has been found.

28 Jan 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-01687 by Michael Russell on 16 January 2013 (Official Report, c.15514), whether it plans to hold further discussions with the University of London regarding the University Marine Biological Station Millport and what it considers the economic impact …

Answer · Michael Russell: The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning met with the University of London and other stakeholders on 17 January 2013. Discussions were constructive and a second meeting was scheduled for February 2013. As the economic development agency for …

17 Dec 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how changes to Nomenclature of Units of Territorial Statistics boundaries will affect European Structural Fund allocations.

28 Nov 2012 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what new responsibilities are outlined in the Water Resources (Scotland) Bill for Scottish Water relating to sewage treatment plants. 

22 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that Areva will source materials in such a way that it will benefit the local economy.  

Answer · John Swinney: Under the Memorandum of Understanding, AREVA and Scottish Enterprise will work to develop the supply chain for offshore wind manufacturing and ensuring that the sites under consideration are capable of accommodating supply chain companies. The Minister for E…

22 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Areva will work with local colleges to develop courses relevant to the industry.

Answer · John Swinney: Scottish Enterprise and Areva will work together collaboratively to explore all opportunities to maximise the level of research and development activity and ensure there are optimal training resources and facilities to support offshore wind manufacturing and …

22 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) permanent full-time jobs and (b) apprenticeships will be (i) created and (ii) offered to local people when Areva opens its wind turbine factory.

Answer · John Swinney: The announcement made on 19 November stated that the Memorandum of Understanding between AREVA and Scottish Enterprise had the potential to create 750 jobs in Scotland from manufacturing and the supporting supplies chain. Details such as apprenticeships and t…

22 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out an assessment of the effect of voluntary microchipping on (a) the control of dangerous dogs and (b) tackling and reducing the number of stray dogs. 

Answer · Richard Lochhead: No assessment has been made; however the Scottish Government recognises that microchipping is an effective method of identifying animals and can help re-unite dogs with owners where the dogs have been lost or stolen. This is reflected in Section 5.12 of the S…

22 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce any new initiatives to help tackle the rising number of stray dogs.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government have no immediate plans to introduce any new initiatives regarding stray dogs.

22 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has established a dog control database as referred to in section 8 of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 and, if so, how much this costs to maintain.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Under section 4 of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010, local authorities are required to keep their own records of dog control notices issued within its area. Section 4 of the Act also places a requirement on local authorities to cooperate and share info…

22 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the cost is to local authorities of enforcing the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 and what its position is on whether local authorities have adequate (a) support and (b) resources to do so.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government does not hold information relating to the enforcement costs incurred by local authorities as a consequence of implementing the 2010 Act. The financial impact on local authorities of the implementing, monitoring and enforcing the new Do…

22 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with local authorities since 2010 regarding (a) the enforcement of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010, (b) the compulsory microchipping of dogs and (c) any other dog welfare legislation and when these took place.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Since the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 came into force on 26 February 2011, Scottish Government officials have undertaken visits to Aberdeen City Council, Argyll & Bute Council, Dundee Council, Edinburgh Council, Fife Council, Shetland Council, and Wes…

22 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research it has undertaken since 2010 on the compulsory microchipping of dogs and the cost implications.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has not undertaken any research since 2010 into the compulsory microchipping of dogs and the cost implications.

22 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage (a) owners and (b) breeders to microchip dogs.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government recognises that microchipping is an effective method of identifying animals and can help re-unite dogs with owners where the dogs have been lost or stolen. This is reflected in Section 5.12 of the Scottish Government’s Code of Practice…

22 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many dogs have been microchipped in each year since 2007.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government does not hold this information.

21 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will use the 2014 Ryder Cup to promote golf (a) as an activity and (b) to younger people.

Answer · Shona Robison: Scotland is acknowledged worldwide as “The Home of Golf” and as part of our bid to host the 2014 Ryder Cup we established the ClubGolf programme, as a lasting legacy. ClubGolf delivers a commitment to introduce every nine year old in Scotland to the game of …

21 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will use the 2014 Ryder Cup to promote golf tourism.

Answer · Shona Robison: Staging the Ryder Cup in 2014 will reinforce Scotland’s status as “The Home of Golf” and “The Perfect Stage for events”. The Ryder Cup is one of the largest and most-recognised sporting events in the world, and VisitScotland are capitalising on this unique op…

21 Nov 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much the 2014 Ryder Cup will contribute to the economy; what impact it will have on (a) ordinary and (b) golf tourism, and what other legacies it expects from the tournament.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Economy is expected to benefit by up to £100 million during the week of the 2014 Ryder Cup. As one of the world’s largest sporting events, the Ryder Cup is broadcast to 183 countries worldwide via a network of 43 broadcasters reaching more than h…

30 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much Scottish Water has made from private companies that have used its networks in each year since 2008.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Section 4 of the Water Services (Scotland) Act 2005 prohibits the use of the public networks by anyone other than Scottish Water or Scottish Water’s agents. It is therefore not possible for Scottish Water to generate any income from private companies for such…

30 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what input private water companies have to Scottish Water’s infrastructure plan.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Private water companies are not involved in the setting and approval of Scottish Water’s infrastructure plan. Ministers are required by Section 56A of the Water Industry (Scotland)Act 2002 to direct Scottish Water as to the standards of services and investmen…

30 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposals in the Water Resources (Scotland) Bill will ensure that there are safeguards so that the impact of water shortage orders affect domestic and non-domestic users equally.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Part 7 of the Bill aims to modernise procedures to be followed when there is a shortage in the public supply. Both domestic and non-domestic users may be asked to co-operate to reduce their demand on the network. There are consultation procedures to allow com…

30 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the Water Resources (Scotland) Bill will ensure that consumers are protected when Scottish Water carries out its non-core functions.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The regulatory frameworks as established by the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 stipulate that customers covered by a charges scheme may only be charged by Scottish Water for the provision of core functions. Customers are therefore protected from the costs…

30 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Water Resources (Scotland) Bill proposes that Scottish Water be given responsibility for monitoring raw water.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Scottish Water is responsible for supplying wholesome drinking water and treats raw water in order to do this. Part 4 of the Bill will enable Scottish Water to enter premises for the purposes of monitoring raw water quality or finding the source of pollution,…

30 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Water Resources (Scotland) Bill proposes a 10 megalitres-per-day threshold to apply for a qualifying abstraction.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The threshold was chosen following a review of the abstractions currently in place, and will ensure that only the largest and most significant new proposals are required to gain approval.

30 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Water Resources (Scotland) Bill proposes certain qualifying abstractions to be exempt from approval.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The exemptions from the regime cover activities which are for the most part non-consumptive of the water abstracted and confer wider public benefit.

30 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what safeguards there are in the Water Resources (Scotland) Bill regarding (a) the promotion of sustainability and biodiversity and (b) protecting supplies in order to prevent shortages.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Section 1 of the Bill specifically requires Ministers to exercise the duty to develop the value of Scotland’s water resources in ways that will contribute to the sustainable use of those resources. The Water (Scotland) Act 1980 tasks Scottish Water with maint…

30 Oct 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposals in the Water Resources (Scotland) Bill will allow private water companies to supply households.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: No. The Bill does not change the existing position that Scottish Water is the sole supplier of water and wastewater services to the Scottish household sector.