Angus MacDonald

30 Mar 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-01065 by Fergus Ewing on 31 May 2012 (Official Report, c. 9627), what subsequent discussions it has had with the partners of NorthConnect regarding the proposed interconnector between Scotland and Norway, and what impact the decision by SSE to pull …

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Increased interconnection is one of the aims of the Scottish Government’s electricity generation policy. Since the withdrawal of SSE in March 2013, the Scottish Government has had regular discussions with the remaining partners of NorthConnect and will contin…

12 Mar 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it is giving to (a) animal feed manufacturers, (b) animal nutritionists and (c) vets regarding the identification and isolation of feed products on farms labelled as containing spray-dried porcine plasma.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government published the Guidance Note on feed controls in the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Regulations in June 2013. The note includes a section with guidance on the handling of blood products, including spray-dried porcine plasma,…

12 Mar 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the virulent porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) does not infect the country’s pig population.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has legislation in place to regulate the importation of animals and animal products and prevent the introduction into Scotland of animal pathogens, including the new variant of the virulent porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV). To t…

4 Mar 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and (b) administrative staff support it gives to the Judicial Complaints Reviewer.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government pays the Judicial Complaints Reviewer a daily fee together with office and travel expenses. Funding has also been provided for larger expenditure such as the cost of setting up a website and costs of obtaining independent legal advice.…

11 Feb 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Falkirk Council regarding the implementation of national guidance on political literacy.

6 Feb 2014 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for a public consultation on the allocation of Scotland's fish quotas.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government announced on 28 January 2014 our intention to consult on the future allocation of Scottish fish quotas. Fishermen from across Scotland have raised concerns with the Scottish Government about the current system of allocating fish quotas…

30 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans the organising committee has to include Gaelic in the 2014 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

Answer · Shona Robison: Glasgow 2014 is committed to the meaningful incorporation of Gaelic language and culture within the opening ceremony. While it is too early to share specific detail, they are working with well-respected and internationally recognised talents to deliver a seri…

30 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans the organising committee has to include Gaelic as part of the cultural aspect of the Commonwealth Games.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme includes 13 projects, confirmed to date, which have either Gaelic content or celebrate Gaelic culture. This translates into over 36 events, covering a variety of genres including theatre, song, dance and literature; taking …

29 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what feedback it has received from NHS Forth Valley on the implementation of a frailty unit to improve safety and patient experience for frail older people.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Frailty Service in NHS Forth Valley commenced in November 2013. Although it is still early days NHS Forth Valley has reported that the service has had a positive impact, with 80% of patients using it avoiding admission, those patients who were admitted to…

17 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) farmers and (b) crofters applied for compensation under the Sea Eagle Management Scheme, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Sea Eagle Management Scheme pays for positive management of sheep flocks, in order to reduce conflict with sea eagles. It does not pay compensation for lamb losses. The scheme ran for three years from 2011–13, and closed in summer 2013, but Scottish Natur…

17 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be on the Scottish fishing industry of the dismantling of import tariffs and the end of the previous minimum price and withdrawal system under the common organisation of the markets reform.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: There has been no change to current import tariff arrangements which are covered by Council Regulation No. 1220/2012 which deals with trade related measures to guarantee the supply of certain fishery products to EU processors from 2013 to 2015. The new Commo…

17 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's new powers under the Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Bill will be (a) operational and (b) enforceable.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Following the passage of the Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Bill through Parliament, the Scottish Government will draft and consult stakeholders on subordinate legislation and guidance on the operation of the enforcement provisions in Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the…

5 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made to the £3 million hardship fund for fishermen announced on 25 July 2013, broken down by region. 

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The information requested is shown in the following table: CONSTITUENCY NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS Angus 2 Argyll and Bute 14 Ayr 1 Banff and Buchan 81 Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross 4 Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley 1 Central Fife 1 Cun…

29 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the (a) management and (b) administrators of Ballantine Bo'ness Iron Company Ltd and Ballantine Engineering Ltd and what assistance it has provided to the workforce to seek alternative employment.

Answer · John Swinney: Scottish Enterprise has been working with the company since it went into administration in September 2013. The Scottish Government has been kept fully informed of developments by Scottish Enterprise who in conjunction with Falkirk Council and the local busine…

29 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Dow Chemical company following the announced closure in June 2014 of its plant in Grangemouth and what assistance it is providing to the workforce to seek alternative employment.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government was disappointed to learn that Dow Chemicals had announced the closure of their Grangemouth facility with the loss of 76 full-time jobs. Scottish Enterprise is meeting the company in mid-January 2014 to get an understanding for the rat…

23 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost has been of investigating each case reviewed by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner in each year since 2007. 

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This information is not held.

23 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the cost has been of operating the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner service, including staff and premises costs, broken down by year since 2007.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: On 1 April 2013 the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland took on an expanded remit to reflect its role in providing independent investigations of serious incidents involving the police. The organisation became the Police Investigations and Review Commi…

23 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many recommendations by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, following reviews of complaints about the Police by members of the public, have (a) been enacted and (b) rejected by (i) Police Scotland and (ii) its predecessor Central Scotland Police since May 2011.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Between May 2011 and April 2013, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner made 14 recommendations to Central Scotland Police, 13 of which were implemented. Following further submissions by Central Scotland Police in respect of the remaining recommend…

21 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will update the Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products in Scotland to reflect the European directive on the sustainable use of pesticides (2009/128/EC).

Answer · Richard Lochhead: An updated version of the Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products in Scotland should be available by 2015, after the required consultations have been carried out. In the meantime, although some of the underlying legislative framework has changed…

21 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides for research into integrated pest management.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government funds long-term research into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in agriculture and horticulture via its Strategic Research Programmes for Rural Affairs and the Environment 2011-2016. Current strategic research includes work on disease m…

21 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to commercial users of pesticides regarding reducing their use.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Under a crop health activity, funded by the Scottish Government, which monitors Scottish crops for the presence of pests, weeds and diseases, staff at Scotland’s Rural College provide advice to farmers on integrated crop protection measures and on alternative…

15 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on transferring administration of the (a) Police Scotland and (b) Scottish Fire and Rescue Service pensions from the Local Government Pension Scheme authorities to the Scottish Public Pensions Agency.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Good progress is being made; a project team has been established with the Scottish Public Pensions Agency to take this forward and we are confident the appropriate arrangements will be in place in good time for 1 April 2015. Representatives of Police Scotland…

15 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to attract infrastructure investment through the Pensions Infrastructure Platform.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Once up and running, the Pensions Infrastructure Platform may provide a useful source of finance for infrastructure projects, if the returns being sought by the pension fund investors meet the needs of the project and provide value for money to the taxpayer. …

15 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the Pensions Infrastructure Platform.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government has held a number of discussions with the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF), which is leading on the creation of the Pensions Infrastructure Platform. Most recently the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Economic …

12 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities in the Forth Valley region participate in the Seafood in Schools initiative.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The highly successful Seafood in Schools initiative is teaching young people across Scotland about Scottish Seafood, where it comes from, how it reaches our plates, and why eating seafood is good for us. The project aims to cover all education authorities ac…

6 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many welfare guardianship orders have been granted to Falkirk Council since 2007.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Information on the numbers of welfare guardianships granted to each local authority area is available on the website of the Mental Welfare Commission. http://www.mwcscot.org.uk/publications/statistical-monitoring-reports/ From 2007-13 there were 113 cases …

6 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it monitors how many welfare guardianship orders are granted to each local authority.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government does not monitor welfare guardianship orders. Welfare guardianship orders under the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 are registered by the Office of the Public Guardian, which is part of the Scottish Court Service, and notifi…

4 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many requests for assistance the Scottish Investment Bank has received from businesses in (a) Falkirk East and (b) the Falkirk Council area.

Answer · John Swinney: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask its chief executive to write to you in this regard.

30 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the claim by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas that there is an "abundance" of cod in the North Sea and what impact an increase in stocks will have on the prey of the species.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: It is clear from the latest advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) for North Sea Cod that the stock is recovering. Fishing mortality is at its lowest level since assessments began in 1963, and the biomass of the stock has…

25 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent decision of the Salmon Net Fishing Association of Scotland to start netting salmon six weeks earlier than has previously been the practice.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: There has been no blanket decision taken to start net fishing when the season opens in February. The Salmon Net Fishing Association of Scotland has discontinued its voluntary national postponement of the start of the salmon netting season in favour of local …