Questions · Jim Hume · GB Politics

26 Feb 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to protect and enhance the natural environment.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The importance of valuing and enjoying our built and natural environment and protecting and enhancing it for future generations is recognised through its inclusion as one of the fifteen national outcomes in the National Performance Framework. The Framework gu…

5 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much will be available for town centre works and regeneration initiatives for towns in the (a) Scottish Borders, (b) Dumfries and Galloway, (c) East Lothian, (d) North Ayrshire, (e) South Lanarkshire and (f) East Ayrshire council areas from the 2009-10 budget.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government''s £60 million Town Centre Regeneration Fund will be available in 2009-10 to support our town centres and local high streets. We are currently working on the details of the Fund, and will shortly be entering into discussions with stake…

3 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what cross-border safeguards are in place to prevent the spread of bluetongue disease in Scotland from livestock travelling through England.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: In Scotland we have a post-movement notification system for all susceptible animals that have been in any bluetongue restricted zone other than for bluetongue virus type 8 within the previous 60 days. This Scotland-only provision provides protection from pote…

3 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what cross-border safeguards are in place to prevent the spread of bluetongue disease in Scotland from livestock travelling through infected areas in England.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Although bluetongue virus type 8 was found to be circulating in south east England in 2007, no evidence of virus circulation was found in 2008. There are currently, therefore, no known areas in England with active infection.

3 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to ensure that the voluntary ban on animal movements from bluetongue disease-infected areas is enforced rigorously.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Scottish Government advice on keeping bluetongue out of Scotland has been consistent; avoid sourcing livestock from high-risk areas. The majority of the Scottish livestock industry has taken this message on board and a voluntary industry ban on imports is cur…

3 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take if the voluntary ban on animal movements from bluetongue disease-infected areas is broken.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: European Union trade rules require the free movement of animals where they meet the agreed requirements. Scottish livestock industry organisations are promoting a voluntary ban in recognition of the potential implications of sourcing stock from high risk area…

3 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can confirm the recent press report that cattle from Belgium will be arriving at a farm in close proximity to the border with England.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Animal Health Agency has confirmed that some breeding cattle have been imported from Belgium to a farm in Northumberland.

30 Jan 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that people in the Scottish Borders are able to receive essential health and other services regardless of cross-border differences in legislation or service provision.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The duty of the Scottish Government is to provide policies, frameworks and resources to NHS boards in order that they can deliver high quality, safe and sustainable services that meet the needs of their local population. Within this context, the actual provis…

30 Jan 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that people in the Scottish Borders are able to receive their entitlement to free ophthalmic services if their nearest optician is in England.

Answer · Shona Robison: NHS boards in Scotland are responsible for making arrangements to secure the provision of the free NHS eye examination within their area. NHS Borders has made arrangements for people to receive the free NHS eye examination conveniently at ophthalmic…

29 Jan 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is promoting economic growth in the south of Scotland.

Answer · John Swinney: This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0129-01.htm">http://…

23 Jan 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the recent report in the Stranraer and Wigtownshire Free Press, whether it will form a task force to assist Stena Line employees in Stranraer facing redundancy.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) is the Scottish Government''s strategic framework for responding to employees facing redundancy. On 11 January and 26 January the Scottish Government announced a range of measures to strengthen PACE which wi…

23 Jan 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the recent report in the Stranraer and Wigtownshire Free Press, what support, training and advice will be offered to Stena Line employees in Stranraer facing redundancy.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The local PACE response team has already offered support to Stena Line employees in Stranraer who may be facing redundancy. The type of support will be tailored to meet individual needs and circumstances but will include: access to a new national hel…

22 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in what circumstances forestry commissioners might exercise the powers relating to formation of a body corporate, investment, provision of loans and establishing trusts, contained in section 47 (3) of the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill.

Answer · Michael Russell: The powers proposed in the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill are intended to allow Forestry Commission Scotland to play a greater role in tackling climate change. Subject to the outcome of current consultation on Climate Change and the National Forest Estate, th…

22 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposals on amending the forestry commissioners’ functions set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill alter the commissioners’ duty under section 1 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and what action the Scottish Executive will take to ensure that this duty is c…

Answer · Michael Russell: The proposals do not alter the forestry commissioners'' duty under section 1 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 to further the conservation of biodiversity. This duty would be maintained on leased land by including relevant conditions in any lease…

22 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty, flora, fauna and geological or physiographical features of special interest when exercising new forestry powers proposed in the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill.

Answer · Michael Russell: The consultation exercise and options review currently being carried out will help inform Forestry Commission Scotland''s deliberations on the range and nature of the safeguards that need to be introduced to ensure the conservation and enhancement of natural …

22 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in what circumstances new powers proposed in the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill might be exercised and override the statutory duties and functions of Forestry Commission Scotland.

Answer · Michael Russell: The new powers proposed in the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill would allow modification by order of the functions of the Forestry Commissioners to enable Forestry Commission Scotland to play a greater role in tackling climate change. Subject to the outcome of …

22 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when Forestry Commission Scotland’s Climate Change Action Plan is to be published.

Answer · Michael Russell: Forestry Commission Scotland intends to publish its Climate Change Action Plan in January 2009.

17 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether its policy is to transfer Scotland Rural Development Programme funds from productive farming areas to support people in less productive areas.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) does not involve transfers between productive farming areas. Disadvantaged areas of Scotland are eligible to receive Less Favoured Area Support through the programme. Other support through the SRDP available to …

17 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to provide new funds for agriculture in the future.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government''s budgetary plans for agriculture for 2008-09 to 2010-11 were contained in the Spending Review 2007 published in November 2007. The document is available at <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/13092240/1">http://w…

17 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether its policy is to transfer Scotland Rural Development Programme funds from the south of Scotland to Argyll and the west of Scotland.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) is designed to support all those who engage in agricultural activity in Scotland. There are no regional budgets within the Programme and hence transfers do not occur between regions of Scotland. Support to land …

10 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will review the fallen stock scheme.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: A review of the National Fallen Stock Scheme has already been undertaken by Mr Bob Bansback, on behalf of all the UK Rural Affairs Departments, and was completed in August 2008. Following discussions with ministers, the Board of the National Fallen S…

10 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will work with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to apply a blue zone designation to Scotland, in light of its bluetongue disease-free status, in order to distinguish it from infected areas and to prevent diseased animals from coming into the country.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is very supportive of the principal of preventative vaccination in combination with protection from imports and welcomes the proposals for blue zones. However, the EU legislation is not yet in force and there remain some concerns regar…

8 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been approached by or has had discussions with private foreign timberland investment companies wishing to buy or lease the most commercially-viable forested land.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government has not held any discussions with private foreign timberland investment companies regarding buying or leasing parts of the nation forest estate arising from the present consultation on the climate change bill.

8 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive to whom it plans to lease 25% of the publicly-owned forest estate to if it does not plan to lease it to private foreign timberland investment companies.

Answer · Michael Russell: Offering management leases and cutting rights is a potential option for releasing capital from the national forest estate which could be used to fund woodland creation projects to help mitigate climate change. This option is included in a public consultation …

8 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to lease 25% of the publicly-owned forest estate to private foreign timberland investment companies and, if so, whether it has consulted the 21,046 respondents to the Scottish Climate Change Bill consultation or invited them to comment on such plans.

Answer · Michael Russell: Offering management leases and cutting rights is a potential option for releasing capital from the national forest estate which could be used to fund woodland creation projects to help mitigate climate change. This option is included in a public consultation …