Parliamentary questions
Liam McArthur
3,663 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
5 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what changes to the role of the Kirkwall office of VisitOrkney will result from the reorganisation of VisitScotland.
Answer · Jim Mather: This is an operational matter for VisitScotland and I have asked the Chief Executive to write to you on this matter.</p>
5 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what changes to the staffing of the Kirkwall office of VisitOrkney will result from the reorganisation of VisitScotland.
Answer · Jim Mather: This is an operational matter for VisitScotland and I have asked the Chief Executive to write to you on this matter.</p>
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-5432 by Jim Mather on 1 November 2007, whether it is able to give more specific dates for the completion of planned upgrades to the telephone exchanges on (a) Eday and (b) Stronsay, due to take place during the first quarter of 2008.
Answer · Jim Mather: We are working withBT to deliver the upgrades to Eday and Stronsay exchanges in March 2008. Any updatesto dates for our upgrade programme of Exchange Activate exchanges will be announcedon our website at <a href="http://www.broadbandforscotland.co.uk/">www.br…
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish its energy strategy.
Answer · Jim Mather: The preparation ofan overview of the Scottish Government’s energy policy is on-going and we intendto place such an overview on our website shortly.</p>
21 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it agrees with the Ofgem proposal to use the money raised through a windfall tax on energy companies to introduce measures targeted at addressing the problems of fuel poverty; if so, how it would envisage any such measures being taken forward in Scotland and, if not, what alternat…
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: We think that this proposal from Ofgem merits consideration. We will want to discuss with the UK government their response to it. Were this proposal to be implemented, we would expect Scotland to receive an agreed share of any resources which were raised by t…
21 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had discussions with (a) Ofgem and (b) Her Majesty’s Government regarding proposals from Ofgem for a possible windfall tax on energy companies benefiting from the free allocation of tradable emissions permits and; if so, what the outcome has been and, if not, whether it wil…
Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Governmenthas not had discussions with Ofgem on this proposal, although we do hold regulardiscussions with both Ofgem and the UK Government regarding relevant issues aroundthe regulation of electricity and gas markets.</p><p>We understand thatsom…
18 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received the Scottish Law Commission’s report on its review of aspects of the law on time bar relating to personal injury claims and, if so, when both the report and the Executive’s response to any of the commission’s recommendations will be made public.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Executive has receivedthe Scottish Law Commission’s (SLC) report on Personal Injury Actions: Limitation and Prescribed Claims. The report was published on 5 December 2007 and canbe viewed on the SLC’s website at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.scotlawc…
16 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from the manufacturers and suppliers of electronic identification systems for sheep and what the terms were of any representations.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: No. Representations have beenreceived by the Scottish Government from manufacturers and suppliers of electronicidentification systems.</p>
16 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the European Commission concerning the proposed introduction of an electronic identification system for sheep and what the terms were of any representations.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Governmentprovided submissions to the Commission as part of the UK Evidence Report whichhighlighted the findings of trials within the UK and urged the Commission totake account of these findings in seeking a delay to the introduction ofelectronic…
16 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty’s Government concerning the proposed introduction of an electronic identification system for sheep and what the terms were of any representations
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Governmentcontinues to work with Her Majesty’s Government and indeed the rest of the UK asregards the introduction of electronic identification (EID). Part of that workwas the submission of the UK Evidence Report which highlighted the findings of…
16 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from agricultural industry stakeholders concerning the proposed introduction of an electronic identification system for sheep and what the terms were of any representations.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Governmentcontinues to work with all agricultural industry stakeholders through the jointGovernment/industry working group on electronic identification (EID). The industrystakeholders provided their time and resource to earlier trials which forme…
16 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made an assessment of the implications for Scottish farmers and crofters of the proposed introduction of an electronic identification system for sheep and, if so, what the conclusion is of any assessment made.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Previous trials havehighlighted that the introduction of electronic identification (EID) across allsectors of the Scottish sheep industry will be challenging due to the unique stratifiednature of our industry. Results of these trials were given to the Commiss…
16 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-3672 by Stewart Stevenson on 13 September 2007, what progress has been made on the study into the use of road equivalent tariff to set ferry fares on services to the northern and western isles; which stakeholders (a) have met or (b) are still to meet…
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: It is anticipatedthat the first phase of the RET study will be concluded in February. The conclusionof the first phase of the study will provide details of the planned pilot. An announcementon the way forward for RET will be made shortly.</p><p>The consultant…
16 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3O-101 by Richard Lochhead on 7 June 2007, what progress has been made on the review of the EU agricultural subsidies appeals procedure; what the membership is of the group undertaking the review; what bodies or individuals have been consulted by those …
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I have now set up an independentpanel to review the current EU agricultural subsidies appeals process. It held itsfirst meeting at the end of November 2007.</p><p>The panel is chaired by JohnKinnaird, a past President of NFU Scotland. The other members are Sh…
9 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish ministers have had discussions with their UK counterparts on (a) how any nuclear power stations will be funded, (b) whether the UK Government will be investing any public money in new nuclear power and (c) whether the UK Government will match incentives offered to compani…
Answer · Jim Mather: We have had no discussions withUKministers on any aspect of the development of new nuclear power stations in Scotland. However,we provided a full response to the UK Government’s consultation on nuclear power,which is available from the Scottish ParliamentInfo…
21 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations Scottish Ministers made to Her Majesty’s Government in advance of its announcement of more than £100 million of funding to the Energy Saving Trust to build the existing energy advice service to become a proactive green homes service and what proportion of such funding…
Answer · Jim Mather: This announcement refers to fundingfrom the Department for Environment,Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and, as such,is for England only.</p><p>At the time of the announcementin November 2007, the Scottish Governmentwas already progressing its own plans to fund…
4 Dec 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of entitlement to free travel for holders of national entitlement cards, under the national concessionary travel scheme, on ferries operated by (a) Caledonian MacBrayne, (b) Northlink, (c) Orkney Ferries, (d) Shetland Islands Council and (e) Argyll and Bute…
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Residents of WesternIsles, Orkney and Shetland who meet the eligibility criteria for Scotland-Wide FreeBus Travel for Older and Disabled People are entitled to two free return ferry vouchersfrom their place of residence to the Scottish mainland each financial…
28 Nov 2007 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider setting up an independent review of the operation of the air ambulance service in the highlands and islands.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish AmbulanceService and its constituent operating divisions, which includes the air ambulanceservice, are the subject of continuous performance management by the Scottish Government.At present I see no need to commission an independent review, but w…
19 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what additional investment it will provide for the development of sport in Orkney in the years leading up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Glasgow 2014 CommonwealthGames offer an unrivalled opportunity to inspire a new generation to take up sportand to be physically active. Within 100 days of the announcement of the decisionto host the games in Glasgow, we will publish for consultation an in…
19 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for (a) maintaining existing and (b) building new sports facilities in Orkney to accommodate teams that use the area as a training base in the lead-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: It is a statutoryresponsibility of local authorities to provide adequate sporting facilities intheir area, maintaining existing facilities and building new facilities asdictated by the needs of the community.</p><p>The ScottishGovernment would like as many te…
19 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage competing nations to use Orkney as a training base in the lead-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The ScottishGovernment would like as many teams as possible to base a training camp in Scotland prior to the 2014 Commonwealth Games. We will buildon work already being done to ensure as many Scottish facilities as possibleare used as training camps in the le…
19 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what legacy the 2014 Commonwealth Games will leave for Orkney.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Governmenthas a very clear commitment to ensuring that the whole of Scotland benefits from the Commonwealth Games in 2014.</p><p>We will work withrelevant agencies and local authorities to ensure that, Scottish businesses arewell-placed to bid fo…
19 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to increase the resources available to voluntary groups that support people with long-term chronic health conditions.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This issue willbe looked at in the context of the long-term conditions action plan which weare developing in partnership with the Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland.</p><p>More generally,we are currently implementing the December 2006 recommendations from…
19 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to increase the support available to people with long-term chronic health conditions.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Our approach tothe management of long-term conditions will be set out in our <i>Action Planfor Health and Wellbeing</i>, following the consultation on <i>Better Health,Better Care</i>.</p><p>We are alsoworking in partnership with the Long Term Conditions Alli…
19 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what resources are available to voluntary groups that support people with long-term chronic health conditions.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Grants areavailable under Section 16B of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 to voluntary organisations which operateon a Scotland-wide basis and which are engaged in health initiatives thatcomplement those required by statute.</p>
19 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what educational materials are available to people with long-term chronic health conditions to assist them in managing those conditions.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The ScottishGovernment understands that provision of educational materials and reliableinformation is particularly important for people with long-term conditions, andfor their families and carers. Developing a co-ordinated approach to theavailability of such …
19 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what support is available to people with long-term chronic health conditions.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The majority ofcare for people with long-term conditions is provided through primary careteams, with access to specialist care when needed. NHS boards and their communityhealth partnerships (CHP) are responsible for providing services for theirresident popula…
13 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform about improvements to the Marine Renewables Development Fund to enable testing and development of marine technologies in Scotland.
Answer · Jim Mather: We are in regularcontact with the department on this issue. We have asked specifically for clarityregarding the availability and levels of grant funding for wave and tidal developmentin the light of BERR’s proposals for a banded Renewables Obligation.</p>
13 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the marine energy sector in Scotland regarding any difficulties in drawing down funding from the Marine Renewables Development Fund.
Answer · Jim Mather: Our discussions withthe sector on this subject indicate that the Marine Renewables Development Fund(MRDF’s) grant levels are viewed as insufficient and in need of review. There arealso calls for the eligibility criteria to be reviewed. We are in touch with th…
12 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution Scotland will make to the EU target for 20% of all energy to come from renewable sources by 2020.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Governmenthas expressed its full support for the EU’s renewable energy target and will ensurethat Scotland makes a significant contribution towards achievingit.</p><p>For example, we haveannounced our target to generate 50% of Scotland’s electric…