Parliamentary questions

Liam McArthur

3,663 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

11 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what average cost increase there would be over the life of a wind farm if the rateable value were increased from £5,000 to (a) £10,000, (b) £15,000 and (c) £20,000 per megawatt.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23849 on 20 May 2009. 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/Apps2/Bu…

11 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have been held and with whom regarding a potential increase in the rateable value of wind farms.

11 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to an increase in the rateable value of wind farms and what the timetable is for taking a decision.

Answer · John Swinney: Rateable values of all non-domestic property in Scotland, including wind farms, are determined by the Scottish Assessors who, in carrying out that function, act independently of the Scottish Government. Statute requires that all rateable values must be revie…

11 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-23022 by Fiona Hyslop on 30 April 2009, how the new body that will be responsible for all functions associated with the Children’s Panel, including recruitment, selection and training of panel members, will ensure that those who wish to volunteer as …

Answer · Adam Ingram: The Bill to reform the Children''s Hearings system will provide for the transfer of functions currently carried out by Children''s Panels Advisory Committees and Panel Chairs to the President of a new body, the Scottish Children''s Hearings Tribunal. <p …

11 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-23065 by Stewart Stevenson on 30 April 2009, what its reasons are for not making available copies of its submission to the European Commission regarding the state aid investigation into support for ferry services in Scotland.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The European Commission has previously agreed that it would not be appropriate for information relating to its investigations to be published whilst investigations are live. The decision not to provide the information requested reflects that practice as well …

7 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received on the need to introduce further measures to prevent the widespread re-emergence of bovine tuberculosis.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Scotland continues to have a relatively low and stable incidence of bovine tuberculosis. Current control policy, introduced with industry support, continues to effectively identify and eradicate any new incidents of bovine tuberculosis and no representations …

7 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to prevent the widespread re-emergence of bovine tuberculosis.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Scotland continues to have a relatively low and stable incidence of bovine TB. Current policy remains effective in identifying and eradicating new incidents of TB in Scotland. Current controls include: Zero tolerance …

7 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of bovine tuberculosis have been identified in each year since 2004.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The numbers of new confirmed incidents since 2004 are: 2004 - 23 cases 2005 - 13 cases 2006 - 18 cases 2007 “ 21 cases 2008 “ 14 cases.

7 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what research it is undertaking regarding badgers and the transmission of bovine tuberculosis and whether it intends to publish the results.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is not currently undertaking any research relating to badgers and the transmission of bovine TB. There is no evidence to date that suggests any significant reservoir of infection in wildlife and in particular the badger population in S…

30 Apr 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether regulations allow a GP practice to continue operating as a dispensing practice if a commercial dispensing pharmacy is given consent to open in its area and, if not, what plans the Scottish Executive has to amend regulations to provide this option..

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The NHS General Medical Services Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2004 provide that health boards shall require or authorise a GP practice to dispense prescribed items to a patient where the health board are satisfied that the patient will have serious diffic…

20 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make available copies of its submissions to the European Commission regarding the state aid investigation into support for ferry services in Scotland.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: No.

20 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any meetings between ministers and the European Commission to discuss its state aid investigation into support for ferry services in Scotland have taken place since 12 December 2008 and whether further meetings are planned.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The most recent meeting between Scottish ministers and the European Commission to discuss this investigation was held on 12 December 2008. Whilst there are currently no plans for any further such ministerial meetings, Scottish ministers will continue…

20 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received a recent indication from the European Commission of when it expects to conclude its state aid investigation into support for ferry services in Scotland.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The timing of the conclusion of the European Commission''s investigation on support for ferry services in Scotland is a matter for the commission. However, I understand from recent discussions that the commission anticipates making a final decision on this in…

16 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executivewhat support it has received in (a) Orkney, (b) Shetland and (c) the Western Isles for the creation of a national body to administer the children’s hearings system.

Answer · Adam Ingram: Responses to Strengthening for the Future, the consultation on the reform of the children''s hearings system, were received from Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles and have been published along with the other responses on the Scottish Government w…

16 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executivewhether it will commit to maintaining the distinctive identity of the children’s hearings system in the Orkney, Shetland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar local authority areas.

Answer · Adam Ingram: Yes. Our proposed reforms are for a locally delivered, nationally supported children''s hearings system, and will build on the children''s hearings system''s strong foundations of supporting local communities, with local people making decisions for local chil…

16 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executivewhat representations it has received in favour of maintaining the distinctive identity of the children’s hearings system in the Orkney, Shetland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar local authority areas.

Answer · Adam Ingram: Responses to Strengthening for the Future: A consultation on the reform of the Children''s Hearings System were received from the following individuals and organisations in the Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles local authority areas: Alasdai…

16 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executivewhen it will publish a draft Bill to reform the children’s hearing system.

Answer · Adam Ingram: We will publish a draft Bill by the end of June 2009.

16 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executivewhen it will publish its report on the consultation process in relation to Strengthening for the Future: A Consultation on the Reform of the Children’s Hearings System.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I am pleased to announce that today the Scottish Government is publishing its summary report on the responses to Strengthening for the Future: consultation on the reform of the Children''s Hearings system. The document is available on the Scot…

15 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executivewhen it will publish the responses to Strengthening for the Future: A Consultation on the Reform of the Children’s Hearings System.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The Scottish Government published the responses to Strengthening for the Future: A consultation on the reform of the Children''s Hearings System on 1 May 2009. The responses are available on the Scottish Government website: <a href="http://w…

3 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate has been made of the costs that would be required in order to maintain a national scheme for dealing with fallen stock.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: No estimate has been made by Scottish ministers of the cost of maintaining a national scheme for dealing with fallen stock. A variety of commercial disposal routes are available to farmers in most parts of Scotland, such as rendering or incineration, or colle…

3 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations ministers have received from farming industry representatives regarding ongoing support to maintain a national scheme for dealing with fallen stock.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Scottish ministers have heard representations from Farming industry representatives seeking support for the collection and disposal of fallen sheep in Scotland at lambing time next year. Ministers are currently considering their response.

3 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the original budget allocation was for the (a) agri-environment, (b) business development and (c) forestry elements of the Rural Priorities scheme.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) financial tables set out the funding available for each of the 30 European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development measures the programme draws on. These are grouped under eight broad headings in the Scottish Go…

3 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of spending has been on successful applications under the (a) agri-environment, (b) business development and (c) forestry elements of the Rural Priorities scheme.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The following figures relate to the spending approved for regional priorities under the given headings, at the first four Rural Priorities assessment rounds. <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td width=178 valign=top > (a) …

3 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of applications were successful under the (a) agri-environment, (b) business development and (c) forestry elements of the Rural Priorities scheme.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The following figures relate to the proportion of regional priorities under the given headings approved at the first four Rural Priorities assessment rounds, as a percentage of regional priorities considered. <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 …

3 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications were received under the (a) agri-environment, (b) business development and (c) forestry elements of the Rural Priorities scheme.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The following figures relate to the number of regional priorities under which funding has been applied for, presented to the first four assessment rounds under Rural Priorities. <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td width=175 valig…

1 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from vets and agricultural bodies regarding the recruitment of a suitable manager for the Thurso Disease Surveillance Centre.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: No representations have been received by the Scottish Government from veterinary surgeons or agricultural bodies regarding the Scottish Agricultural College''s Thurso Disease Surveillance Centre. Correspondence was received from two MSPs.

1 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to recruit a suitable manager for the Thurso Disease Surveillance Centre.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Thurso Disease Surveillance Centre is not a Scottish Government facility but is part of the Scottish Agricultural College''s (SAC) network of veterinary laboratories. SAC are a private company limited by guarantee. Due to the specialist nature of…

23 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, following cessation of the Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative, what support will be available for householders who wish to take advantage of their homes’ microgeneration potential.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government''s householder and community renewables support programmes will run as two separate initiatives from April 2009. The new scheme for householders will be the Energy Saving Scotland home renewables “ grants. This will be delivered by the…

23 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether individual householders will be able to access advice and guidance and grant funding under the Communities and Renewable Energy Scheme.

Answer · Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22259 on 9 April 2009. 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.…

23 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the Communities and Renewable Energy Scheme, when the contract will be awarded and when the scheme will be open to applicants.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government is managing a smooth transition from the Communities support in the Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI) to the new Communities and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) to prevent disruption to applications or pr…