- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 January 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 8 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will institute a consultation process as to the way in which the provisions, under article 11.1A of the EC Regulation ((EEC) 3887/92), which relate to the administration of claims under the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) and in particular with regard to an application which "contains errors other than those made intentionally or by serious negligence", are interpreted and, if so, whether it will include in the consultation paper the practice and precedent in other EU member states as to the interpretation of the "obvious error" rule; whether its application of the IACS rules under 11.1A has been strict upon applicants in the imposition of penalties and its interpretation of the "obvious error" rule, and how its application of the IACS rules has compared with the approach adopted by other EU states.
Answer
All EU Regulations, which impact on producers, were the subject of detailed scrutiny by the Red Tape Review panel of industry representatives. Their report was handed over on 26 January and I am now considering the recommendations. The Panel investigated the perception that the UK over-interprets EC Regulations and applies them more stringently than other member states but concluded this was not the case. The Panel did have a concern about the proportionality of some penalties imposed by the EU Regulations, especially where they are the result of inadvertent error in completing the forms and about the lack of flexibility in the imposition of those penalties. I share these concerns and intend to pursue them with the EU.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 January 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 8 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the regulations governing EU agricultural subsides and whether the existing rules punish cases of inadvertent error.
Answer
The Regulations governing EU agricultural subsidies are reviewed regularly by Agricultural Departments in the UK on an individual and collective basis. The need for change is also discussed regularly with the EU and the other member states before revisions are introduced. The Regulations are designed to deter fraudulent activity and serious negligence. We do, however, feel that in some instances the penalties imposed by the EU Regulations appear disproportionate, especially where they are applied following inadvertent errors on the forms. We are having ongoing discussion with the EU on this matter, but whilst we have been able to secure some changes to the Regulations to allow acceptance of some errors, we do not feel that these go far enough. We are continuing to pursue the possibility that further discretion should be given to member states.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 December 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 7 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-2532 by Mr Jim Wallace on 29 November 1999, whether the creation of ten new permanent Shrieval posts will be sufficient to secure the proper discharge of administration of justice; in which courts they will be deployed, and whether it believes any delays resultant are consistent with the interests of justice.
Answer
The holders of the ten new permanent Shrieval posts have Commissions as floating Sheriffs which means that they can serve where required throughout Scotland. My Department are in consultation with the Sheriffs Principal about the means of deploying the floating Sheriffs to best effect. I am discussing with Ministerial colleagues what additional steps may be needed as a result of the High Court judgement affecting the use of temporary Sheriffs and I shall keep Parliament informed of developments.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 13 January 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 7 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government in order to encourage growth in research and development activity in Scotland by reducing the tax burden upon it or by introducing tax relief on investment in such activity.
Answer
Scottish Executive Ministers have regular and continuing discussions with Her Majesty's Government on matters of economic interest. They welcome the Chancellor's announcement of a tax credit for research and development in small and medium sized enterprises in last year's budget.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 December 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Jackie Baillie on 4 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-2484 by Jackie Ballie on 3 December 1999, whether that answer is an endorsement of the statement made by the Minister of State at the Scotland Office (House of Commons Official Report 9 November 1999, col-868) that "there is no particular shortage of money for voluntary and community organisations".
Answer
The Scottish Executive is committed to developing a strategic approach to the funding of the voluntary sector. Last year our funding of the voluntary sector amounted to some £283 million, of which £23 million was in direct grants and £260 million was indirect funding through agencies and non departmental public bodies. We shall keep under review the support we make available to the voluntary sector.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 January 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Morrison on 4 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, if the Highlands and Islands Convention is to be reconvened without including any MSPs, MPs or MEPs representing the Highlands and Islands, it will explain in detail the reasons why.
Answer
I refer the Member to the First Minister's answer to S1F-79 of Thursday 3 February.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 January 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Morrison on 4 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has conducted any form of consultation process on the reconvening of the Highlands and Islands Convention and upon the composition of its membership; if so to provide details and, if not, whether it will now conduct a consultation process with the public and relevant bodies.
Answer
In reaching our decision we have taken into account the views of Convention members. We expect our proposals to be widely welcomed.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 January 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Morrison on 4 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is in favour of elected representatives of the Highlands and Islands working together on any reconvened Highlands and Islands Convention and, if not, why not.
Answer
I refer the Member to the First Minister's answer to S1F-79 of Thursday 3 February.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 November 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 3 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that there has been any maladministration in relation to the Agricultural Business Improvement Scheme and, if so, what steps it will take to ensure that applicants to the scheme do not suffer financially as a result.
Answer
I am not aware of maladministration having taken place in the handling of the scheme. The financial allocation for the scheme has been fully committed. In addition, on 16 November, I announced that an extra £1 million is being made available. This followed consultation with the industry about the prioritisation system to deal with the very late surge in scheme applications which regrettably will result in a number of applications not being funded.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 January 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 2 February 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the ending of the Right to Buy Scheme for anti-social tenants would in any way act as a deterrent of such behaviour and, if so, for what reasons.
Answer
Yes. There is evidence of tenants desire to exercise the right to buy and denying this right to anti-social tenants, as part of a package of measures, will act as a deterrent of such behaviour.
