- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 December 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 14 December 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for the redevelopment of Haymarket Station to enable improved access for all passengers.
Answer
We are working with EdinburghCity Council on a feasibility study to look at options for the redevelopment ofHaymarket into a major transport interchange. This is due to be completed in summer2007. The preferred option, which emerges from the study, will then be consideredby Transport Scotland’s strategic projects review.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 04 December 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Malcolm Chisholm on 13 December 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive how many responses were received to the consultation on Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 6 and when the finalised document will be published.
Answer
1020 responses were receivedon the Executive’s draft proposals. The intention is to publish finalised guidancebefore the end of February 2007.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 December 2006
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Current Status:
Awaiting answer
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-30040 by Rhona Brankin on 4 December 2006, what directions it has given to the Advisory Committee on Sites of Special Scientific Interest under section 21(5) of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 or section 12(4) of the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991.
Answer
Awaiting answer
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 04 December 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Malcolm Chisholm on 12 December 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of respondents to the consultation on Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 6 supported a 20% or greater target for on-site renewable energy generation in new developments.
Answer
Five hundred and fifty-two of the 1,020 responses focussed solely on microgeneration. These all supported a 20%target. A further 120 respondents raised the issue in the context of wider comments.Around half of them proposed targets between 15% and 50%, with 20% most often suggested.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 November 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 4 December 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Advisory Committee on Sites of Special Scientific Interest considers only objections to SSSI notification and denotification.
Answer
The statutory role of the AdvisoryCommittee on Sites of Special Scientific Interest is set out in the Natural Heritage(Scotland) Act 1991 as amended by the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act2004.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 November 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 4 December 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive what directions have been given to the Advisory Committee on Sites of Special Scientific Interest in respect of the committee’s procedures.
Answer
Procedures are set out in theNatural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 as amended by the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act2004.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 November 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 4 December 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive what the selection process is by which it ensures that the convener and other members of the Advisory Committee on Sites of Special Scientific Interest have appropriate and relevant scientific qualifications and experience in relation to flora or fauna or the geological or geomorphological features of land.
Answer
Appointments to the AdvisoryCommittee on Sites of Special Scientific Interest are made by Scottishministers in open competition and are regulated by the Office of the Commissionerfor Public Appointments in Scotland (OCPAS).
Ministers appoint committee membersfrom among persons appearing to them to have scientific qualifications and experiencein relation to flora or fauna or the geological or geomorphological features ofland.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 November 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 4 December 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases have been referred to the Advisory Committee on Sites of Special Scientific Interest in each of the last five years and, in each case, whether the committee’s advice was in favour of (a) Scottish Natural Heritage, (b) objectors or (c) neither and whether Scottish Natural Heritage regarded or disregarded the committee’s advice.
Answer
The Advisory Committee on Sitesof Special Scientific Interest (ACSSSI) has reported on the following numbers ofcases since 1 August 2001:
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 |
ACSSSI is also currently consideringone case. Details of all cases referred to ACSSSI are published annually in SNH’sFacts and Figures publication.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 November 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 4 December 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Advisory Committee on Sites of Special Scientific Interest may invite external advice and, if so, in what circumstances, how often it has done so and what steps are taken to ensure that those advising the committee have appropriate and relevant scientific qualifications and experience in relation to flora or fauna or the geological or geomorphological features of land.
Answer
The Advisory Committee on Sitesof Special Scientific Interest (ACSSSI) has invited external advice from specialistadvisers on eight of the 10 cases it has considered since August 2001. Specialistadvice is sought when the committee feels that it needs additional expert inputon specialist ecological and scientific issues.
All potential advisers are approachedto provide CVs, which are passed to committee members for consideration. Advisersare usually well-known to the scientific community as experts in their field. ACSSSIremains responsible for determining its advice after taking account of such additionalinput and is not bound to accept the advice of its specialist advisers.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 November 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 27 November 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-29350 by Ross Finnie on 10 November 2006, how many of the 65 detected incidents of pesticides exceeding the maximum residue level in 2005 were in produce originating or processed in Scotland and whether any enforcement action was taken.
Answer
The pesticide residues monitoringprogramme is UK-wide and it is not possible to determine origin within the UK from the informationavailable. Of the 65 incidents in 2005 where pesticide residues exceeded the maximumresidue level, seven involved produce labelled as UK origin.
Enforcement action has been initiatedin respect of one incident. The enforcement process identified that the producein question did not originate in Scotland.
The Pesticide Residues Committeepublish quarterly reports that contain brand names and details of produce that exceedthe maximum residue levels and any follow up action taken.
