- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 November 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 30 November 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated annual cost is of the proposed national telephone debt line referred to in paragraph 4.11 of Affordability of Water and Sewerage Charges.
Answer
The national telephone debtline is being developed by a partnership that includes the money advice sector, the Scottish Executive, Departments of the UK Government and the private sector. Plans for three pilots are being drawn up; one will be in Scotland, with the Executive's contribution to the £2 million costs expected to be £50,000.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 November 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 30 November 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated (a) initial costs and (b) annual costs will be to local authorities of administering any relief scheme for water and sewerage charges to those on low incomes and from what source local authorities will meet such costs.
Answer
The initial and subsequent costs to the local authorities of administering the scheme to cap water and sewerage charges for those on Council Tax Benefit will be established in discussions between the Executive and the local authorities. The Executive has undertaken to reimburse the authorities for these costs.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 November 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 30 November 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Water Industry Commissioner recommended to it that there should be a relief scheme for water and sewerage charges for those on low incomes.
Answer
Prior to the current public consultation on the affordability of water and sewerage charges, the Executive invited views on the subject from various experts, including the Water Industry Commissioner. Ministers drew on these views in framing their proposals for a scheme to cap water and sewerage charges for those on Council Tax Benefit.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 November 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 30 November 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive how many farmers and crofters have become bankrupt over the last 12 months and whether it will provide an estimate of the numbers who will become bankrupt over each of the next two 12 month periods.
Answer
I refer to the answer I gave to question S1W-11027 on 22 November 2000. Each year the number of sequestrations among Scottish farmers is very small. Most farmers leaving the industry, as a result of financial pressure, do so in an orderly way by selling up and realising their assets. I expect this still to be the case over the next two years.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 November 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 29 November 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered whether a small business rates relief scheme could be administered by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise or the costs met from their budgets; if so, when this possibility was first considered; whether this possibility has been discussed by (a) its Cabinet and (b) the Small Businesses Consultative Group and what conclusions were reached as a result of any such discussions.
Answer
The best means of administering a small business rates relief scheme is being considered carefully as part of our assessment. I am keen to ensure that administration costs can be minimised as far as possible.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 November 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 29 November 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to (a) review and (b) reform the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, in particular, section 28.
Answer
I am currently considering what improvements could be made to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and will make an announcement in due course.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 13 November 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 27 November 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce measures under the Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 as amended with regard to the provision for pension scheme benefits in divorce case settlements and, if so, on what date such measures will be introduced.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-6241 on 19 April 2000.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 October 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus MacKay on 27 November 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what links presently exist between its special advisers and a Labour party research unit; whether it plans to improve any such links and, if so, what improvements will be made and at what cost, and whether any such links will involve people who are working for the civil service.
Answer
Special Advisers are appointed to advise the First Minister in the development of Scottish Executive policy and its effective presentation.
The arrangements governing the relationship between Special Advisers and party, including party research departments are detailed in their contract, a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 03 April 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 27 November 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide funding for training and guidance for general practitioners to assess and diagnose ill health caused by exposure to organophosphates.
Answer
General practitioners, like other professionals, are encouraged to look at their own personal learning needs and the health needs of their patients and to seek training in specific areas. Guidance and assistance is available from the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (SCPMDE) via the Postgraduate Directors of General Practice Education. Each GP already receives an annual Postgraduate Education Allowance to support an agreed amount of training.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 November 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 23 November 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive who is responsible for the appointment of Reporters in planning inquiries; whether it will detail any plans to review the method of appointment, and whether such appointments should in future be made independent of it.
Answer
As with other Scottish Executive civil servants, full-time Reporters are selected on merit through fair and open recruitment competition and appointed by the Scottish Executive Directorate of Personnel and Pay following the successful completion of a probationary period.
When the workload so demands, the Chief Reporter makes appointments to inquiries from the Part-time Reporters Panel, who are not employees but act in a consultant capacity, on a case-by-case basis.
There are no plans at present to alter these arrangements.
