- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 04 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 16 November 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has discharged its legal responsibilities as owners of Kinloch Castle in Rum; whether SNH has carried out necessary work to the building in order to keep it in good and safe condition; whether it will invite SNH to put forward its proposals for Kinloch Castle, and whether it has any concerns that without substantial work this building may fall into disrepair.
Answer
Kinloch Castle is a category A-listed building in the ownership of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). SNH has taken steps to keep the property wind and watertight and has sought and received professional advice from Historic Scotland on the architectural interest and importance of the building. In addition, SNH has commissioned the Phoenix Trust to provide advice on possible options for future uses of the building.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 October 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 4 November 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek an increase in the west coast monkfish total allowable catch.
Answer
Yes.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 October 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 4 November 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the methods of surveying nephrops stocks provide an accurate measurement of stocks; if so, whether it will seek to agree a higher nephrops total allowable catch (TAC) for the west coast and secure such a TAC ahead of the December Agriculture and Fisheries Council, and whether it will continue to involve representatives of the Mallaig and North West Fishermen's Association and the West of Scotland Fish Producers' Organisation in all stages prior to any negotiation being concluded.
Answer
Yes.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 October 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 4 November 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it received the work commissioned from Steer Davies Gleave on the application of EU rules in other member states and published in Research and Advice on Risk Management in Relation to the Subsidy of Ferry Services at one time or over a period of time; if it was received at one time, on what date, and if it was received over a period of time, over what period it was received, when the last piece of work was received and on what dates the first and last piece of research were received.
Answer
The advice commissioned fromSteer Davies Gleave was received over a period of time, starting on 14 January 2005, withthe final report received on 31 August 2005.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 10 October 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 2 November 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will include in the draft Crofting Reform Bill a provision such as that contained in Schedule l of the current Crofters Scotland Act 1993 which provides that "the Secretary of State may provide the services of such officers and servants as the Commission may require" and what its intentions are in respect of the future of its staff currently seconded to the Crofters Commission.
Answer
No. The changes proposed in the draft Crofting Reform Bill will empower the Crofters Commission to employ its own staff. It is not possible to include a provision such as the one suggested as it would have the effect of fettering the new commission in relation to staffing matters. Ministers have already made a commitment that, should the new commission wish to make arrangements for existing staff to remain on secondment, it would be open to them to do so. I expect that the existing staff will be offered posts in the new organisation on terms and conditions at least as good as those they currently enjoy. Those staff based at the commission who do not accept an appointment with the new body will remain Scottish Executive staff and we will endeavour to find posts for them elsewhere within the Scottish Executive or in other parts of the civil service.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 October 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by George Lyon on 26 October 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it anticipates that it will follow the guidance set out in its letter of 20 March 2001 to the Procedures Committee, or any updated guidance, in respect of Executive amendments to bills by lodging any amendments it proposes to be made during Stage 3 consideration of the Licensing (Scotland) Bill by 3.00 pm at least five sitting days before the expiry of the deadline for lodging amendments or whether it expects to depart from its guidance, and what the reasons are for its position on the matter.
Answer
We fully expect to adhere to the guidelines in lodging any Scottish Executive Amendments.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 26 August 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 25 October 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive to what transport projects funding has been committed using funding which was to have been used for the delayed M74 extension.
Answer
Following the Court of Session challenge to the M74 Completion, arrangements are being made to seek tenders for the A876 Upper Forth Crossing at Kincardine, the A68 Dalkeith Bypass, the A830 Arisaig to Loch Nan Uamh improvement and 3 Route Action Plan improvements on the A75.
The Scottish Executive is also supporting the construction of the A8000 by the City of Edinburgh Council.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 October 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 25 October 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will appoint a representative of the recreational sea angling sector to the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group.
Answer
The Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland introduces significant changes to the management, organisation and development of inshore fisheries. Implementation of the framework is on-going and progressing well. Part of this process will involve review of the structure and function of the ScottishInshore Fisheries Advisory Group. That review is scheduled to take place in spring 2006 and applications for membership will be considered then.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 October 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 25 October 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive why the recreational sea angling sector is not represented on the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group.
Answer
The Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group (SIFAG) deals primarily with matters relating to the commercial fishing sector. A key part of the group’s current work is the on-going implementation of the Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland. The framework introduces a number of changes to inshore fisheries management, including significantly increased opportunities for all relevant stakeholders to play a greater role in the development and management of inshore fisheries. Reflecting these changes, a review of the structure and function of SIFAG is scheduled to take place in spring 2006. Applications for membership will be considered then.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 September 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 25 October 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of any instances where a recipient of (a) Track Access Grant or (b) Freight Facilities Grant has been asked to repay any element as a consequence of the purpose for which the grant was given not having been fulfilled for the requisite period.
Answer
There is only one case involved. On 26 November 2001, the Executive made an award of freight facilities grant totalling £289,469 but rail freight traffic to the business concerned ceased well before it was able to fulfil its commitments in the grant offer agreement. Consequently, officials had discussions with the company about the repayment of an appropriate proportion of the grant and agreement has recently been reached on this issue.
