Parliamentary questions
Jim Hume
1,310 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
27 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend membership of regional project assessment committees to NFU Scotland.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-4728 on 17 October 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…
27 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend membership of regional project assessment committees to those in the farming sector.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-4728 on 17 October 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…
27 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why there is no farming representation on regional project assessment committees.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: My officials consideredwith stakeholders very carefully the most appropriate composition of the new RegionalPriority Assessment Committees (RPACs). From those discussions, including farmersand the farming industry, it was made clear by stakeholders their stro…
5 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are plans to continue to use local newspapers to advertise public notices and public sector recruitment advertisements, in light of the Scottish Improvements Service’s proposal to introduce two new websites advertising this information.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Governmentand its public sector partners has an obligation to provide value for money in pubicservice delivery. The overall public spend on Public Notices advertising and recruitmentwas £47 million in 2005-06.</p><p>In the changing communicationl…
5 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assurances it will give that the two new websites proposed by the Scottish Improvement Service to advertise public notices and public sector recruitment information will be easily accessible to those without internet provision, in light of the local circulation levels and success of …
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Governmentand its public sector partners has an obligation to provide value for money in pubicservice delivery. The overall public spend on Public Notices advertising and recruitmentwas £47 million in 2005-06. This is against a background of decr…
5 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it will do to combat digital exclusion in rural and remote areas.
Answer · John Swinney: We will work withpartners to tackle the issues around the digital divide and ensure all citizensbenefit from the opportunities technology can bring, including rural areas.</p><p>For example, we arelooking at ways of extending broadband availability to the les…
5 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assurances it will give that those without internet provision will be able to access public notices and public sector recruitment information following the introduction of two new Scottish Improvement Service websites advertising this information.
Answer · John Swinney: Anyone who wishesto access public information notices and recruitment opportunities will be ableto do so at any local authority office including public libraries. In addition,recruitment opportunities will continue to be available at job centres where appropr…
5 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the public’s access to public notices and public sector recruitment information is not restricted by the Scottish Improvement Service’s introduction of two new websites advertising this information.
Answer · John Swinney: Anyone who wishesto access public information notices and recruitment opportunities will be ableto do so at any local authority office including public libraries. In addition,recruitment opportunities will continue to be available at job centres where appropr…
5 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the planned improvements to the A1 near Dunbar will commence following the change of contract from Amey to BEAR Scotland.
5 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for works on the planned improvements on the A1 near Dunbar following the change of contract from Amey to BEAR Scotland.
5 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the planned improvements to the A1 near Dunbar will be completed following the change of contract from Amey to BEAR Scotland.
31 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will meet the 2007 SNP commitment to consult on a new entrants scheme for the fishing industry and what action it will take to encourage new people into the sector.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Governmentis committed to helping attract crews and skippers of the future into the Scottishfishing industry and we will consult the industry formally on proposals in the NewYear with the aim of reducing barriers to entry.</p><p>In the context of…
31 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to safeguard the fishing industry in Eyemouth and eastern Berwickshire.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I recognise the importanceof the fishing industry in Eyemouth and Eastern Berwickshire. I will of course be making the strongest possible caseat the forthcoming international fisheries negotiations to protect the vital catchingopportunities for Scotland’s fis…
31 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to safeguard Scotland's fishing industry.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Governmentis firmly committed to treating the Scottish fishing industry as a priority, notonly safeguarding its future, but ensuring that it thrives. We are taking actionon many fronts to ensure that our fisheries are both profitable and sustaina…
31 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to improve country of origin labelling for foods.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I am advised on foodlabelling by the Food Standards Agency. The existing country of origin labellingrequirements are currently being considered as part of a wider review of food labellingby the EC. The agency is also preparing to consult on a revised version …
31 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when an independent ombudsman will be appointed to give powers to the Supermarket Code of Practice to ensure a fair deal for primary producers, as referred to in the 2007 SNP manifesto, and what these powers will be.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Competition Commissionis currently looking into the performance of supermarkets in relation to theSupermarket Code of Practice and we will await the outcome of their investigation.</p>
31 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to meet the 2007 SNP manifesto commitment to create a fairer deal for primary producers.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: We are currentlyestablishing a new and improved working relationship with all the majorsupermarkets with stores across Scotland. We intendto hold meetings with them all in the near future, hear more about theirpolicies, and in particular their sourcing polici…
31 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will clarify its proposals for the future of the Scottish Enterprise network.
Answer · Jim Mather: An announcement onthe reform proposals for the enterprise networks is expected in the autumn.</p>
31 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will introduce a food marketing board for Scotland.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The recently launchednew industry leadership body, Scotland Food and Drink, will take on a significantrole in bringing together Scotland’s producers and manufacturers to enable all ofScotland’s food industry to better market Scottish food at locally and inter…
31 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will meet the 2007 SNP manifesto commitment to consult on changes to planning regulations to allow for a requirement on supermarkets that a proportion of goods stocked are sourced and delivered locally.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: We are currently givingconsideration to the mechanisms which might allow us to deliver this commitment.</p>
31 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to encourage the use of more locally grown produce in the public sector.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: We are working withthose responsible for public procurement to ensure factors such as seasonality,freshness and methods of production are included in tender specifications.</p>
31 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many meals were served by public sector agencies in 2006 and will be served in 2007.
Answer · John Swinney: This is a matter forpublic sector agencies and no information is held centrally by the Scottish Government.</p>
31 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many meals were served by each local authority in 2006 and will be served in 2007.
Answer · John Swinney: This is a matter forindividual local authorities and no information is held centrally by the ScottishGovernment.</p>
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give an assurance that it recognises the vital role the fishing industry plays in Eyemouth and along the Berwickshire coastline and that this will be reflected in the EU Fisheries Fund programme for 2007 to 2013 when considering the areas for fisheries dependent area statu…
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Governmentfully recognises the vital role that the fishing industry plays in the local economyof many communities in Scotland including Eyemouth and the Berwickshire coastline.Local economic importance is one of the possible criteria when conside…
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm that Eyemouth and the Berwickshire coast will be considered for fisheries dependent area status within the EU Fisheries Fund programme for 2007 to 2013, in light of the importance of the fisheries industry in these areas.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Eyemouth and theBerwickshire coast is one of many areas in Scotland being considered for fisheries dependent area status within theEuropean Fisheries Fund (EFF) programme for 2007 to 2013. The selectioncriteria for fisheries dependent area status, which are y…
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm that Eyemouth and the Berwickshire coastline will be given fisheries dependent area status within the EU Fisheries Fund programme for 2007 to 2013, in light of the importance of the fisheries industry in these areas.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Eyemouth and the Berwickshirecoastline is one of many areas in Scotland being consideredfor fisheries dependent area status within the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) programmefor 2007 to 2013. The selection criteria for fisheries dependent area status, whichar…
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what sources of funding will be made available to farmers and crofters who have carried out environmental management under Rural Stewardship Scheme, Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme and Organic Aid Scheme agreements to continue such management.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-3256 on 18 September 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that the environmental benefits delivered by Rural Stewardship Scheme, Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme and Organic Aid Scheme agreements will continue once existing agreements expire.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the memberto answer to question S3W-3256 on 18 September 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.se…
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost would be of providing one-year extensions to the (a) Rural Stewardship Scheme, (b) Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme (c) and Organic Aid Scheme agreements that expire in 2007.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: There is no legalbasis for extending agreements under these schemes which expire in 2007. However,participants in these schemes whose agreements are expiring in 2007 will have theopportunity to enter into Rural Development Contracts under the new Scotland Rur…
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) Rural Stewardship Scheme, (b) Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme (c) and Organic Aid Scheme agreements that expire in 2007 apply to areas designated as special areas of conservation or special protection areas.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Inconsistenciesin the data sets make it impossible to provide a definitive figure however ScottishNatural Heritage have provisionally estimated that 120 of the Rural StewardshipScheme agreements which expire in 2007 lie within or partially within a SpecialAre…