Jim Hume

8 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has carried out on the programme of wind energy development on the national forest estate; which stakeholders have been consulted, and when.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Between November 2008 and January 2009, we carried out a public consultation (Climate Change and the National Forest Estate) that explained there were significant opportunities relating to wider development of the renewable energy potential of the national fo…

8 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether a strategic environmental assessment is required for the programme of wind energy development on the national forest estate and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: No strategic environmental assessment is required for the programme of wind energy development on the national forest estate as it forms part of our overall programme for developing opportunities for onshore wind and hydro power. This programme is set out in …

8 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the (a) design, (b) consent and (c) operation of all renewable energy developments on the national forest estate is carried out in accordance with its statutory duties to biodiversity.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: All renewable energy developments on the national forest estate will require planning approval by the local authority or (for wind farms in excess of 50 megawatts) consent from Scottish Ministers under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. The implications …

8 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will determine the environmental impact of any compensatory tree planting linked to the programme of wind power development on the national forest estate at (a) site level and (b) cumulatively across the country.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: At the site level, compensatory planting required by local authorities or (in the case of consents under the Electricity Act 1989) Scottish Ministers should be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the UK Forestry Standard and its associated envi…

6 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage increase in bus fares across South Scotland it considers appropriate following the 20% reduction in the Bus Service Operators Grant.

Answer · Keith Brown: Across Scotland, the average impact on fares of the changes we are making to the Bus Service Operators Grant scheme should be around 1% or 2%. It is for individual bus operators to decide whether to pass these costs on to customers. However, the changes will …

6 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many bus routes in South Scotland it estimates will be withdrawn or reduced in frequency following the 20% reduction in the Bus Service Operators Grant, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Keith Brown: Service routes and frequencies are a matter for individual bus operators. We are maintaining total support for the bus sector at £248.6 million per annum, a reduction of less than 3% on the 2011-12 figure. Within that total, next year will see a reduction of …

3 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it requires training providers offering training required by legislation to be UKAS accredited.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: No, snaring training providers offering training are not required to be accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). The British Association for Shooting and Conservation, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Scottish Gamekeepers…

3 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the regulations on snaring before 2016 in light of the publication of the report, Determining the Extent of Use and Humaneness of Snares in England and Wales, by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which is expected to be published in February 20…

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government will consider the findings of the report, Determining the Extent of Use and Humaneness of Snares in England and Wales by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when it is published. At present we have no plans to revie…

3 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish SPCA or another independent animal welfare organisation will review the content of snaring training courses required under the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Order which will set out the requirements for the snaring training course, as required under the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011, has not yet been made. However, The Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has reviewed t…

3 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is a legal requirement for snaring training under the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 to be UKAS accredited.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: No, it is not a legal requirement for snaring training under the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 to be accredited with UKAS.

27 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it gives to (a) Scottish Natural Heritage, (b) local planning authorities or (c) others to ensure that the environmental impacts of wind farms are monitored and do not exceed statutory limits.

Answer · John Swinney: Through the planning system and the provision of energy consents guidance the Scottish Government provides a framework to ensure that the development of wind farms takes place in locations where the technology can operate efficiently and environmental and cu…

27 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the environmental effects of operational wind farms are monitored.

Answer · John Swinney: Planning consent for a wind farm is normally subject to conditions that may specify limits, thresholds, inspection or environmental monitoring obligations that require to be observed. It will be the responsibility of the planning authority in consultation wit…

28 Nov 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what signage requirements there are for local authorities when introducing a mandatory 20 mph limit.

Answer · Keith Brown: Traffic signs are reserved to the UK Parliament. The 20 mph signage requirements which local authorities should follow is under Schedule 19, Part II, Direction 16, of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions.

28 Nov 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many vehicles it (a) owns and (b) leases and how many are (i) electric and (ii) hybrid powered.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government fleet currently comprises 208 vehicles; this includes 26 hybrid and three electric vehicles. All vehicles are owned with the exception of one, which is leased.

10 Nov 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how often it will review progress toward the targets in the older people's housing strategy.

Answer · Keith Brown: We will monitor the progress of actions in the strategy for housing for older people closely and will undertake a major review of the strategy after five years.

10 Nov 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that any older people's housing strategy funding is spent on the priorities laid out in local and national documents.

Answer · Keith Brown: Local authorities have responsibility for the allocation of funding for housing and support services for older people in their areas, in line with local needs and priorities.

10 Nov 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much money will be involved in the delivery of the older people's housing strategy, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Keith Brown: Funding for housing and related support services which are delivered by local authorities is included in the main local government settlement. Allocation of funding is a matter for local authorities, in line with local needs and priorities.

10 Nov 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the older people's housing strategy will compel local authorities to develop local strategies in line with national priorities and how it will ensure that the strategy has a comprehensive national coverage.

Answer · Keith Brown: Local authorities will not be required to develop separate local strategies for housing for older people. However, we expect local housing strategies to continue to reflect the housing and support needs of particular groups, including older people. We will w…

28 Oct 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the scoring threshold for applications for agri-environment options in the Scotland Rural Development Programme Rural Priorities scheme will need to be increased in order to reduce the number of approvals if demand from applicants is greater than the available budget or whether th…

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The recent 2011 agri-environment approvals and the ongoing assessment under the continuous approval process have the same scoring threshold advice to Regional Proposal Assessment Committees (RPACs) as 2010. This resulted in a record 82% of applications being …

28 Oct 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the decision to suspend the Axis 2 Management of Hedgerows option in the Scotland Rural Development Programme Rural Priorities scheme is a result of budgetary constraints caused by spending reductions in 2010-11.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The decision to suspend the “Management of Hedgerows” rural priorities option was taken following discussion with stakeholders over how to target agri-environment support most effectively. This was driven by the need to ensure that the balance of spend among …

28 Oct 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the consideration to reduce the financial ceiling for certain Axis 1 options in the Scotland Rural Development Programme Rural Priorities scheme is a result of the budgetary constraints under which the scheme will operate proposed spending reductions go ahead in the period 2012 to…

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Capital spending within Rural Priorities in 2010 and 2011 was pulled forward from future years to aid economic recovery. Following discussions with stakeholders on how best to prioritise spending within the remaining Scotland Rural Development Programme budge…

28 Oct 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the consideration to suspend certain axes 1 and 3 options in the Scotland Rural Development Programme Rural Priorities scheme is a reflection of the budgetary constraints under which the scheme will operate if proposed spending reductions go ahead in the period 2012 to 2015.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: As I announced at the AgriScot event on 16 November there are no plans to close any options under Axis 3. However, I also announced that we will limit access to measure 121 in Axis 1 (restructuring agricultural businesses) so that it is only open to those who…

19 Oct 2011 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to develop vocational skills training in the Scottish Borders.

5 Oct 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much had been spent on the tender process for the Borders Railway project prior to the announcement that it would be delivered by Transport Scotland and Network Rail.

Answer · Keith Brown: From December 2009 until September 2011, when Scottish Ministers took the necessary action to cancel the procurement exercise, as a result of market failure, in order to limit abortive costs and to avoid delay to project delivery, the amount of money spent on…

28 Sep 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S4W-02363 and S4W-00597 by Richard Lochhead on 22 September 2011 and 17 June 2011 respectively, how much will be spent on the programme in the current spending review period, broken down by delivery scheme.

Answer · Richard Lochhead:    Delivery Scheme 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities 62.900 54.700 60.900 Rural Development Contracts – Land Managers Options 18.000 18.000 18.000 Leader 10.500 10.500 10.500 Skills Development Scheme 1.0…

27 Sep 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, following negotiations with the European Commission, what percentage of accuracy Scottish sheep farmers will be required to obtain with their on-farm sheep flock registers before incurring penalties.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: EC Regulation 21/2004 requires farmers to maintain an up to date register which must contain certain specified information including individual details for animals born after 31 December 2009. (except where advantage has been taken of the derogation to allow …

27 Sep 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-02365 by Richard Lochhead on 13 September 2011, whether sheep farmers are exempt from the need to obtain 100% accuracy on their on-farm sheep flock registers.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: It is firstly important that we distinguish the sheep keeper’s requirements from the requirements of the cattle identification regulations. Cattle farmers must ensure that the details in their herd register match those on the central database, and that all an…

26 Sep 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many new entrants to farming there were in each of the four years preceding the introduction of the new entrants to farming scheme.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government does not hold such information and I also refer the member to the answer to question S4W-02966 on 7 October 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which c…

26 Sep 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many claims have been submitted for funding from the new entrants to farming scheme and how many were successful in each year since its introduction.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: There have been 79 applications to date under the Rural Priorities Option ‘Setting Up Young Farmers – Interest Rate Relief’. 63 of these have been successful, as detailed in the following table: Year Number of approved applications 2008 0 2009 17 201…

26 Sep 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanism existed before the introduction of the new entrants to farming scheme to determine the number of new entrants to farming on an annual basis.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: There has never been an obligation on farmers to declare that they are new entrants and no mechanism to collect such data has ever existed. I also refer the member to the answer to question S4W-02965 on 7 October 2011. All answers to written parliamentary que…