Parliamentary questions
Donald Cameron
1,854 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
3 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many inspections of wrasse landings have been undertaken by Marine Scotland Compliance to monitor levels of compliance with paragraph 2 of Marine Scotland’s voluntary control measures for the live capture of Scottish wild wrasse for salmon farms.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Marine Scotland Compliance has undertaken 51 inspections of wrasse landings since the introduction of voluntary control measures in May 2018.
3 Oct 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures are being taken to ensure that Marine Scotland’s voluntary control measures for the live capture of Scottish wild wrasse for salmon farms are being complied with.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Marine Scotland monitors the wrasse fishery using both voluntary and statutory procedures. All licensed fishers are required to submit statutory landings returns to Marine Scotland, with Wrasse being no exception. These statutory returns as well as the volun…
1 Oct 2019 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any planned upgrades to the Gourock-Dunoon passenger ferry service.
24 Sep 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-24636 by Paul Wheelhouse on 29 August 2019, what the total operating hours were for each vessel in the CMAL fleet for the period January 2018 to July 2019.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The total operating hours for each vessel in the CMAL fleet for the period January 2018 to July 2019 are listed in the following table: Scheduled Departure Date From 1 Jan 2018 To 31 Jul 2019 Vessel Name Actual Passage Hours (Rounded to nearest hour) MV …
10 Sep 2019 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that vessels operating on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service are robust and reliable.
4 Sep 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what role or oversight it has in relation to monitoring the maintenance of roadside verges by local authorities.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Local authorities have the responsibility for maintenance and litter picking for all of the local roads including roadside verges within their respective areas. The Scottish Ministers, via Transport Scotland, have responsibility for the maintenance of all tru…
22 Aug 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the alternative berthing solutions are for the Isle of Bute and Isle of Arran ferry services following the closure of the linkspan at Gourock.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Should a situation arise that renders both berths at Ardrossan and the berth at Gourock inaccessible for use by MV Isle of Arran or MV Caledonian Isles, which serve the Ardrossan-Brodick route, Wemyss Bay would be considered for MV Isle of Arran as an alterna…
8 Aug 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-24316 by Derek Mackay on 1 August 2019, for what reason it has closed new applications for the (a) New Entrants Capital Grant, (b) New Entrants Start Up Grant, (c) Young Farmers Start Up Grant and (d) Food Processing, Marketing and Cooperation, desp…
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The answer to S5W-24316 did not identify an underspend in any of these specific grant schemes. The Scottish Government takes a strategic approach to maintaining the SRDP 2014-20 budget, ensuring that we maximise the EU funds, while continuing support for key…
7 Aug 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-23897 by Paul Wheelhouse on 23 July 2019, how much marine fuel was used on each route operated by CalMac Ferries in 2018-19.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Information regarding the amount of fuel used on each route operated by CalMac Ferries Ltd is not collected. CalMac record fuel use by vessel, which is shown in the following table for the period January 2018 to July 2019. VesselFuel Consumption 2018Fuel Co…
16 Jul 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has taken to develop an islands passport scheme since September 2018.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Working with HITRANS we have secured LEADER funding to support the development of the project. This will include the recruitment of a dedicated Project Manager to implement the proposal. We have supplemented this with £25,000 of Scottish Government funding. …
16 Jul 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has taken to work with Fisheries Local Action Groups since September 2018, and what projects to support harbour diversification have been developed as a result of this work.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Marine Scotland has regular contact with the 8 Scottish Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) and is required to approve all project recommendations submitted by FLAGs. All FLAG projects are published here: https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/marine/grants-subsidie…
16 Jul 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to meet emergency work at fishing harbours since September 2018.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government has paid £1.3m since September 2018 towards the costs of emergency fisheries harbour works.
11 Jul 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) current underspend and (b) available budget is in each common agricultural policy pillar 2 scheme.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Current underspend within Common Agricultural Policy Pillar 2 schemes, Scottish Government Financial Year 2019/2020: CAP Pillar 2 schemes £ millions Business Development Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme 0.01 Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund 0.…
18 Jun 2019 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of reports of a shift in the population from the west coast to the east over the next few years to access better housing.
18 Jun 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-23371 by Paul Wheelhouse on 14 June 2019, how much marine fuel was used by each operator in each of the last five years.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The volumes of marine fuel used by CalMac Ferries Ltd and Argyll Ferries Ltd over the last five years are shown in the following table in litres: CalMac Ferries Ltd. Argyll Ferries Ltd. 2014-15 39,854,432 718,096 2015-16 44,515,230 732,967 2016-17 …
13 Jun 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its consultation, Stability and Simplicity, what plans it will put in place to promote innovation as part of a new support system for farming.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23777 on 27 June 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/2…
13 Jun 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what dates the (a) CAP Greening Group has, (b) National Council of Rural Advisors has and (c) Agricultural Champions have met since September 2018, and what future meetings are planned.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: These Groups were limited life working groups which have all published their final reports: the CAP Greening Group in February 2018, NCRA in October 2018 and Agricultural Champions in May 2018. The recommendations from these groups are now being considered by…
13 Jun 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its consultation, Stability and Simplicity, what steps it has taken to resolve mapping discrepancies to help support the development of future policy.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: This work is already happening under the current CAP scheme and through the development of the new mapping system (Land Parcel Identification System – LPIS) which enhances and simplifies the customer experience when applying for CAP support. The major enhance…
13 Jun 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its consultation, Stability and Simplicity, whether it plans to continue the Small Farms Grant Scheme as part of its future agricultural policy.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23777 on 27 June 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/2…
13 Jun 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its consultation, Stability and Simplicity, how many Small Farms Grant Scheme payments have been made in each year since 2015, broken down by parliamentary region.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The scheme went live in 2015, and no payments were made in this year. 2016 – 8 payments in total – 7 x Highlands & Islands, and 1 x South Scotland. 2017 – 18 payments in total – 11 x Highlands & Islands, 5 x South Scotland, and 2 x North East Scotland. 201…
13 Jun 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its consultation, Stability and Simplicity, how it plans to build on innovations to support peer learning, such as the Monitor Farm programme, in any future agricultural policy.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23777 on 27 June 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/2…
13 Jun 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its consultation, Stability and Simplicity, what action it has taken to promote the Small Farms Grant Scheme since it was launched.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government Rural Payments and Services website offers extensive guidance on this scheme. https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/all-schemes/ Information on this scheme can be found on the “Scottish Rural Network” website. htt…
13 Jun 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its consultation, Stability and Simplicity, when the Simplification Task Force will publish its findings.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Simplification Task Force has published on-going records of minutes and progress of meetings on the Scottish Government website at https://www.gov.scot/publications/simplification-taskforce-minutes/. The full findings of the Taskforce will be published …
6 Jun 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing the spatial management measures for the wild wrasse fishery similar to those that have been introduced elsewhere in the UK, including by the Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) entered into a voluntary wild wrasse management arrangement with the Scottish Government in May 2018. These measures apply to suppliers to SSPO members catching wrasse and lay the foundations of an evidence base i…
23 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Good Food Nation Bill was last discussed at a cabinet meeting.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The principle of collective responsibility, as set out in the Ministerial Code, requires that the privacy of discussions within the Cabinet should be maintained. In line with this principle, the Scottish Government does not release details of Cabinet meetings…
22 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when Transport Scotland will meet stakeholders to discuss the introduction of road equivalent tariff fares on ferry routes between Gourock and Dunoon.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23373 on 14 June 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/2…
22 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date road equivalent tariff fares will be introduced on ferry routes between Gourock and Dunoon.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: My officials and I attended a meeting with stakeholders on 16 April 2019 in Dunoon and committed to further consideration of fares requirements. Officials are conducting analysis around fare options and impacts. However it must be noted that a State aid comp…
22 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how marine fuel has been used by (a) CalMac, (b) Argyll Ferries and (c) NorthLink Ferries in each of the last five years.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: There are a range of uses to which marine fuel has been put during each of the previous five years: marine fuel has been used by CalMac Ferries, Argyll Ferries and Serco NorthLink Ferries to fuel propulsion via the main engines and bow thrusters; to fuel the …
22 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions Transport Scotland has had with CalMac regarding maintaining late night weekend sailings between Gourock and Dunoon.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Transport Scotland has had no formal discussions with CalMac regarding maintaining the late night weekend sailings between Gourock and Dunoon. Formal discussions have focused on bringing the service into the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service contract. We conti…
23 Apr 2019 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to Ofgem regarding its consultation on the proposed Western Isles interconnector.