Questions and answers

Question reference: S1W-13354

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2001
Current Status: Answered by Ross Finnie on 28 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive why the meeting of the Project Assessment Committee to consider, subject to parliamentary approval of the relevant statutory instrument, applications for assistance under the Agricultural Business Development Scheme scheduled for 2 February was cancelled and whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a copy of any written explanation of this decision issued to applicants or others.

The decision to postpone the Project Assessment Committee (PAC) meeting scheduled for 2 February was taken following the tabling of a motion to annul these regulations further to concerns being expressed by the Scottish Parliament's Rural Development Committee about the scheme's governing regulations.A news release announcing this decision was issued on 31 January and an explanatory letter was sent to PAC members on the same day. Copies of both documents have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 11550).

Question reference: S1W-13353

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2001
Current Status: Answered by Ross Finnie on 28 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the existing oilseeds regulations require simplification and, if so, what progress is being made in this respect.

Under the Agenda 2000 proposals, my officials participated in a number of discussions on the eligibility of oilseeds to receive aid under the Arable Area Payments Scheme. This was because we recognised that the quality control criteria was an area where a simplification of the rules would benefit producers. The European Commission rejected this, as they were anxious to foster their policy of quality improvement in order to reduce the need to import oilseeds from outwith the Community. Currently, however, my officials are taking part in a general exercise on ways of improving the administration of the CAP. We will thus again be asking the Commission to look carefully at this matter.

Question reference: S1W-13352

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2001
Current Status: Answered by Ross Finnie on 28 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current penalty provisions in relation to the integrated administration and control system are disproportionately harsh; in particular, whether producers should be penalised for mistakes from which they do not benefit and what progress is being made in addressing any such concerns.

The Regulations governing the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) are extremely tight and leave little room for discretion when applying penalties. There are, however, certain circumstances under which "obvious" errors can be accepted, and Area Aid Applications can be amended after the submission date of 15 May. Officials have been pressing the EU on the extension of the obvious error concept, and also on the proportionality of sanctions. My department, along with other UK Departments and other member states, are now providing ideas for consideration by a Commission Working Group established to look at simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy.

Question reference: S1W-13363

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2001
Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 28 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to questions S1W-12075 and S1W-12842 by Sarah Boyack on 18 December 2000 and 8 February 2001 respectively, why there is a difference of #46 million between the value of the surplus of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes and the amount which is expected to be distributed to members; what these remaining funds will be used for; who will hold these funds and whether any part of these funds will accrue to the Scottish Executive, Her Majesty's Government or any other public body.

The treatment of the surplus represents unfinished pre-devolution business. The UK Government's long established position has been that the surplus should go to the UK Exchequer, and the Scottish Assigned Budget Settlement has been progressed on that basis.There is no legal entitlement on the part of Scottish Transport Group pension scheme members to share in the surplus. Scottish Ministers have, however, agreed with the Chancellor of the Exchequer that ex-gratia payments should be made to STG pension scheme members which would be broadly equivalent to the final settlement for National Bus Company pension scheme members south of the border. An appropriate amount has accordingly been earmarked for distribution.

Question reference: S1W-13350

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2001
Current Status: Answered by Ross Finnie on 28 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive what role (a) the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology; (b) the Institute of Arable Crops Research and (c) the Scottish Crop Research Institute will play in relation to proposed GM crop trials.

A consortium of independent scientists from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Institute of Arable Crops Research and the Scottish Crop Research Institute form the Government-approved research consortium which carries out the ecological research to inform the farm-scale evaluation programme. Their approach is to compare key indicators of biodiversity between the GM and non GM cropping systems.The scientific validity of the research programme is being overseen by a Scientific Steering Committee of independent experts in agriculture and ecology.

Question reference: S1W-13347

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2001
Current Status: Answered by Ross Finnie on 28 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive why the public are only required to be notified of proposed GM crop trial sites rather than having a statutory right to be consulted.

Neither the governing European Directive 90/220/EEC nor the Environmental Protection Act 1990 require or provide a basis for consultation on any aspect of a proposed release.The recently adopted package of revisions to EU 90/220/EEC makes increased provision for public consultation. In the coming months the Scottish Executive will be seeking the views of stakeholders as to how the implementation of the revised Directive should be taken forward.

Question reference: S1W-13345

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2001
Current Status: Answered by Ross Finnie on 28 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider extending the formal notification period required in relation to proposed GM crop trial sites from 15 days to a longer period of 30 or 45 days, and, if so, how long it will make the notification period.

The current statutory notification period is determined in the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The Scottish Executive is aware however of the limited opportunity which this allows for public consideration and comment. Accordingly, assurances have been sought and gained from the biotechnology companies which will provide a longer notification period for this spring's farm evaluations. The exact period of notification has not yet been determined.

Question reference: S1W-13344

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2001
Current Status: Answered by Ross Finnie on 28 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive what weight will be given to the views of local residents and communities in determining whether approval for proposed GM crop trial sites should be granted and whether approval will be refused where there is substantial opposition.

The Scottish Executive is required to operate within European and UK Legislation on the deliberate release of genetically modified crops. Under Directive 90/220/EEC consent can only be refused where scientific evidence is available to suggest that the release would cause harm to human health or the environment. The legislation does not permit an application to be rejected solely in response to local opposition. A decision on that basis would be illegal.

Question reference: S1W-13349

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2001
Current Status: Answered by Ross Finnie on 28 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive why it does not select as well as approve the sites of proposed GM crop trials; who the members are of the Scientific Steering Committee which selects the proposed sites and what representation Scotland has on this committee.

The initial identification of individual sites to participate in these trials takes place independently of government and is the responsibility of the Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops, a body representing the interests of the industry including the National Farmers Union within its membership. The proposed sites must meet the criteria set out by the impartial Scientific Steering Committee which oversees the UK farm-scale evaluation programme. They are selected to represent a variety of conditions, such as climate, ecology and soil type as well as farm type and are intended to provide a representative sample of UK agriculture.The Scientific Steering Committee members are:Chairman:Professor Christopher Pollock, Research Director of the Institute of Environmental and Grassland Research.Members:Dr Nicholas Aebisher, Deputy Director of Research for the Game Conservancy TrustDr Alastair Burn, English Nature;Professor Mick Crawley, Imperial College;Dr David Gibbons, Head of Conservation Science, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds;Mr Jim Orson, Director Morley Research Centre;Dr Nick Sotherton, Director of Research for the Game Conservancy Trust;The Scottish Executive is represented on this committee by officials from the Rural Affairs Department who attend meetings and act as assessors.

Question reference: S1W-13315

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 February 2001
Current Status: Answered by Sam Galbraith on 27 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list each of the 100 contracts awarded since 1994 under the Scottish Renewables Obligation, specifying the nature, location and cost of each scheme and the type of energy involved.

109 contracts have been awarded under the Scottish Renewables Obligation since 1994. These are listed in the table. We do not hold any information regarding the cost of each scheme.

Energy Type	Location/Local Authority	Size (MW)
Biomass	Westfield (Fife)	9.8
Biomass	Burnside Farm, Brodick, Arran (North Ayrshire)	2
Biomass	Morayhill Energy Plant (Highland)	12.9
Energy from Waste	Baldovie (Dundee City)	8.3
Energy from Waste	Westfield (Fife)	14.7
Energy from Waste	(Glasgow City)	15
Energy from Waste	Dargavel (Dumfries & Galloway)	7.2
Hydro	Russell Burn, Applecross (Highland)	0.53
Hydro	Loch Poll, Assynt (Highland)	0.23
Hydro	Sheildaig, Gairloch (Highland)	2.1
Hydro	Inverbroom, Ullapool (Highland)	3.17
Hydro	Cuileig (Highland)	3
Hydro	Novar, Evanton Ross-shire (Highland)	0.92
Hydro	Ardtornish, Morvern, by Oban (Highland)	0.66
Hydro	Duror, Lochgilphead (Highland)	0.69
Hydro	Garrogie, Loch Mhor, Inverness-shire (Highland)	1.94
Hydro	Garry Gualach, Fort William (Highland)	0.78
Hydro	Stanley Mills, Perthshire (Perth and Kinross)	0.99
Hydro	Auchtertyre, Tyndrum (Stirling)	0.59
Hydro	Strath Melness, Sutherland (Highland)	0.3
Hydro	Slattadale, Achnasheen, Ross-shire (Highland)	1.45
Hydro	Locheil Estate, Achnacarry (Highland)	1.32
Hydro	Loch Arkaig, Locheil, Inverness-shire (Highland)	5.47
Hydro	Little Wyvis, Strathpeffer, Ross-shire (Highland)	0.63
Hydro	Glen Tarbet, Strontian, Argyll (Highland)	0.83
Hydro	Inverpolly, Lochinver, Ross & Cromarty (Highland)	0.95
Hydro	Urlar, Aberfeldy (Perth and Kinross)	0.98
Hydro	Westfield Mill, Blairgowrie (Perth and Kinross)	0.43
Hydro	Glen Kinglas HEP (Argyll and Bute)	0.6
Hydro	Ben Glas Hydro Scheme (Stirling)	0.9
Hydro	Allt Fionn HEP (Stirling)	0.9
Hydro	River Nith (Dumfries and Galloway)	0.5
Hydro	Glen Trool (Dumfries and Galloway)	1
Hydro	Dyce (Aberdeen City)	0.62
Hydro	Beochlich, Loch Awe (Argyll and Bute)	0.95
Hydro	Antermony Loch, Milton of Campsie (East Dunbartonshire)	0.08
Landfill Gas	Summerston (Glasgow City)	2.78
Landfill Gas	Dalmarnock (Glasgow City)	11.85
Landfill Gas	Springburn (Glasgow City)	11.85
Landfill Gas	Greengairs Phase 1, Airdrie (North Lanarkshire)	1.89
Landfill Gas	Greengairs Phase 2, Airdrie (North Lanarkshire)	1.89
Landfill Gas	Greengairs Phase 3, Airdrie (North Lanarkshire)	1.96
Landfill Gas	Greengairs Phase 4, Airdrie (North Lanarkshire)	1.96
Landfill Gas	Auchinlea, Bellside, Cleland (North Lanarkshire)	1.69
Landfill Gas	Dalmacoulter, Airdrie (North Lanarkshire)	0.96
Landfill Gas	Tarbothill (Aberdeen City)	2.2
Landfill Gas	Wellbank Gas to Energy (Angus)	0.9
Landfill Gas	Dunlop Power (East Ayrshire	2.4
Landfill Gas	Garlaff LandFill (East Ayrshire)	1.3
Landfill Gas	Kaimes Landfill Site (Edinburgh City)	2.4
Landfill Gas	Greenoakhill Landfill Site (Glasgow City)	3.9
Landfill Gas	Bonnyrigg Power (Midlothian)	2.2
Landfill Gas	Auchencarrod Landfill (West Dumbartonshire)	2
Landfill Gas	Greengairs Phase 5, Airdrie (North Lanarkshire)	2.2
Landfill Gas	Greengairs Phase 6, Airdrie (North Lanarkshire)	2.2
Landfill Gas	Riggend Power (North Lanarkshire)	1
Landfill Gas	Drumshangie Power (North Lanarkshire)	1
Landfill Gas	Kilgarth (North Lanarkshire)	1
Landfill Gas	Binn Landfill (Perth & Kinross)	1.9
Small Wind	Meall Mor (Argyll & Bute)	1
Small Wind	Shell Fish Farm (Argyll & Bute)	0.3
Small Wind	Torrs Hill Wind Farm (Dumfries & Galloway)	0.8
Small Wind	Little Kilmain (East Ayrshire)	1
Small Wind	Myres Hill A (East Renfrewshire)	0.6
Small Wind	A'Mhoine (Highland)	1
Small Wind	Melvich Wind Farm (Highland)	1
Small Wind	Crofting Power - Forrs (Highland)	0.9
Small Wind	Burgar Hill (Orkney Islands)	0.6
Small Wind	Bu Farm (Orkney Islands)	1
Small Wind	Powdykes (Orkney Islands)	0.3
Small Wind	Thorfin Wind Farm (Orkney Islands)	1
Small Wind	Pole Hill (Perth & Kinross)	1
Small Wind	Tresta (Shetland Islands)	1
Small Wind	Hamari Field (Shetland Islands)	1
Small Wind	Burradale Wind Farm (Shetland Islands)	0.9
Small Wind	Arnish Moor (Western Isles)	1
Wave	Islay (Argyll & Bute)	0.2
Wave	Machiar Bay (Argyll & Bute)	0.3
Wave	(Shetland Islands)	1.5
Wind	Benan Hill (South Ayrshire)	4.5
Wind	Kiam Hill (North Ayrshire)	5.1
Wind	Stronachullin (Argyll & Bute)	3.8
Wind	Dun Law (Borders)	8.9
Wind	Black Hill (Borders)	5.1
Wind	Meikle Carewe (Aberdeenshire)	5.7
Wind	Bisset Moss (Aberdeenshire)	6.4
Wind	Beinn An Tuirc, Carradale (Argyll & Bute)	6.39
Wind	Cnoc Donn Arnicle, Carradale (Argyll & Bute)	6.39
Wind	Deucheran Hill, Kintyre (Argyll & Bute)	6.17
Wind	An Suidhe, Loch Awe/Fyne (Argyll & Bute)	6.17
Wind	Eredine Forest, Loch Awe/Fyne (Argyll & Bute)	6.17
Wind	Roughside Hill, Peebles (Borders)	6.17
Wind	Emly Bank, Peebles (Borders)	6.17
Wind	Ark Hill (Angus)	5.1
Wind	Hagshaw Hill (s10), Douglas (South Lanarkshire)	2.12
Wind	Hagshaw Hill (s15), Douglas (South Lanarkshire)	4.06
Wind	West Garty, Helmsdale, Sutherland (Highland)	5.13
Wind	Helmsdale, Helmsdale, Sutherland (Highland)	4.3
Wind	Bendealt, Evanton, Ross-shire (Highland))	3.79
Wind	Meall an Tuirc, Evanton, Ross-shire (Highland))	3.37
Wind	Beinn Ghlas, Taynauilt (Argyll & Bute)	3.37
Wind	Largie, Kintyre (Argyll & Bute)	6.39
Wind	Laggan, Islay (Argyll & Bute)	1.28
Wind	Carsphairn, Kirkcudbright (Dumfries & Galloway)	4.21
Wind	Carsphairn, Kirkcudbright (Dumfries & Galloway)	4.21
Wind	Port Patrick, Wigtownshire (Dumfries & Galloway)	3.37
Wind	Beinn Mholach (Western Isles)	4.5
Wind	Barbae (South Ayrshire)	6.4
Wind	Stronachullin (South Lanarkshire)	8.6

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