Questions and answers

Question reference: S4W-04795

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 23 December 2011
Current Status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 18 January 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to protect the Scottish wildcat from extinction.

The Scottish Government agencies Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) and Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) are all partners in the Cairngorms Wildcat Project, along with the Royal Zoological Society for Scotland and the Scottish Gamekeepers Association.

The project is a trial of practical conservation actions in an area considered to be a stronghold of the Scottish Wildcat. The project aims to tackle the threats facing Scottish wildcats by:

working with land managers to ensure that predator control is wildcat-friendly;

supporting the work of cat welfare organisations, which neuter feral cats around towns, villages and farms, and encouraging responsible domestic cat ownership (i.e. increased neutering and vaccination) in the Cairngorms National Park;

monitoring the wildcat population and the extent of both hybridisation and disease, with the input of land managers and the public, and

raising awareness of the plight of the Scottish wildcat.

Scottish Wildcats are European Protected Species and are fully protected under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended). Under this legislation, development, land management or forestry proposals must comply with the legislation. SNH and FCS are involved in advising on compliance, survey methods, mitigation and licensing.

http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-species/legal-framework/habitats-directive/regulations.

Question reference: S4W-04800

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 23 December 2011
Current Status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 18 January 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it is providing Perth and Kinross Council to improve flood prevention measures.

The Scottish Government has agreed with COSLA that for the three years of the 2011 spending review period the flooding component of the General Capital Grant should be targeted towards major new flood protection projects. Local authorities have been asked to apply for funding against agreed criteria, which were circulated to all local authorities on 5 December. The initial focus will be on those schemes which have already been granted approval and necessary planning permission as part of the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961. Priority will then be given to new flooding schemes which have been granted appropriate statutory consent as outlined within the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. This reflects the priorities placed on projects by COSLA and the Scottish Ministers.

Question reference: S4W-04933

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 18 January 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools offer Gaelic medium education, broken down by local authority.

Question reference: S4W-04934

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 18 January 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the provision of free transport for pupils to access Gaelic medium education.

Question reference: S4W-04932

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 18 January 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding is allocated to each local authority for Gaelic medium education per annum.

The following table shows how much additional funding is allocated to each local authority in 2011-12 for Gaelic medium education.

Local Authority	2011-12
Aberdeen City Council	£138,000
Aberdeenshire Council	£ 37,000
Angus Council	£ 45,000
Argyll and Bute Council	£385,000
City of Edinburgh	£300,000
CNES	£995,000
East Ayrshire Council	£153,000
East Dunbartonshire Council	£ 74,000
East Renfrewshire Council	£ 20,000
Falkirk Council	£ 12,000
Glasgow City Council	£520,000
Highland Council	£995,000
Inverclyde Council	£ 95,000
North Ayrshire Council	£ 85,000
North Lanarkshire Council	£290,000
Perth and Kinross Council	£120,000
Renfrewshire Council	£ 33,000
Scottish Borders Council	£ 4,000
South Lanarkshire Council	£159,000
Stirling Council	£138,000
West Dunbartonshire Council	£ 20,000
Totals	£4.578 million

The following tables show how many schools offer Gaelic medium education in three categories. 1. Gaelic medium education in primary schools, 2. Gaelic language for fluent speakers in secondary schools and, 3. Other subjects delivered through the medium of Gaelic. In all cases below the name of the relevant local authority is also attached.

Gaelic-Medium Education in Primary Schools

Primary School	Council
Aberdeen: Gilcomstoun	Aberdeen City Council
Aberfeldy	Perth and Kinross Council
Acharacle	The Highland Council
Aird, Lewis	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Airidhantuim	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Back, Lewis	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Balallan	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Balivanich, Benbecula	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Barvas, Lewis	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Bernera, Lewis	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Bishopbriggs: Meadowburn	East Dunbartonshire Council
Bonar Bridge	The Highland Council
Bowmore, Islay	Argyll and Bute Council
Breasclete, Lewis	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Broadford, Skye	The Highland Council
Carinish, North Uist	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Carloway, Lewis	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Castlebay, Barra	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Condorrat	North Lanarkshire Council
Daliburgh, South Uist	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Dingwall	The Highland Council
Dunoon: Sandbank	Argyll and Bute Council
Dunvegan, Skye	The Highland Council
East Kilbride: Mount Cameron	South Lanarkshire Council
Edinburgh: Tollcross	City of Edinburgh Council
Eriskay	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Forfar: Whitehills	Angus Council
Fort William RC	The Highland Council
Gairloch	The Highland Council
Glenurquhart	The Highland Council
Glasgow:SGG	Glasgow City Council
Greenock: Highlanders Academy	Inverclyde Council
Inverness: BSGI	The Highland Council
Iochdar, South Uist	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Kilmarnock: Onthank	East Ayrshire Council
Kilmuir	The Highland Council
Laxdale, Lewis	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Leverburgh	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Lionel, Ness	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Lochcarron	The Highland Council
Mallaig	The Highland Council
Nairn	The Highland Council
Newtonmore	The Highland Council
Oban: Rockfield	Argyll and Bute Council
Paible	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Pàirc	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Perth	Perth and Kinross Council
Plockton	The Highland Council
Portree	The Highland Council
Salen	Argyll and Bute Council
Shawbost	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Sleat	The Highland Council
Staffin	The Highland Council
Stirling: Riverside	Stirling Council
Stornoway	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Isles Council
Strath of Appin	Argyll and Bute Council
Tain: Craighill	The Highland Council
Tarbert	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tiree	Argyll and Bute Council
Tong	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Ullapool	The Highland Council

Gaelic Medium Education in Secondary Schools: Gàidhlig for Fluent Speakers

Secondary School	Council
Aberdeen: Hazelhead	Aberdeen City Council
Ardnamurchan	The Highland Council
Back	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Bishopbriggs	East Dunbartonshire Council
Castlebay	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Cumbernauld: Greenfaulds	North Lanarkshire Council
Dingwall	The Highland Council
Dunoon	Argyll and Bute Council
East Kilbride: Calderglen	South Lanarkshire Council
Edinburgh: James Gillespie’s	City of Edinburgh Council
Gairloch	The Highland Council
Glasgow: Hillpark	Glasgow City Council
Inverness: Charleston	The Highland Council
Inverness: Millburn	The Highland Council
Inverness: Royal Academy	The Highland Council
Islay	Argyll and Bute Council
Kilmarnock: Grange	East Ayrshire Council
Kingussie	The Highland Council
Liniclate	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Lionel	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Lochaber	The Highland Council
Lochs	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Mallaig	The Highland Council
Oban	Argyll and Bute Council
Paible	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Plockton	The Highland Council
Portree	The Highland Council
Shawbost	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Stirling: Wallace	Stirling Council
Stornoway: Nicolson Institute	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tain	The Highland Council
Tarbert: Sir E Scott	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tiree	Argyll and Bute Council
Tobermory	Argyll and Bute Council
Ullapool	The Highland Council

Gaelic Medium Education in Secondary Schools: Other Subjects Offered Through the Medium of Gaelic

Secondary School	Council
Ardnamurchan	The Highland Council
Castlebay	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Cumbernauld: Greenfaulds	North Lanarkshire Council
Dingwall	The Highland Council
Glasgow: SGG	Glasgow City Council
Inverness Royal Academy	The Highland Council
Kilmarnock: Grange	East Ayrshire Council
Liniclate	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Lionel	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Plockton	The Highland Council
Portree	The Highland Council
Shawbost	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Stornoway: Nicolson Institute	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tain Royal Academy	The Highland Council

The policy on the provision of free transport to access Gaelic medium education is entirely a matter for individual local authorities.

Question reference: S4F-00400

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 January 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 January 2012

To ask the First Minister what impact the sale of Robert Wiseman Dairies to Müller Dairy will have on the Scottish economy.

Question reference: S4W-04548

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 December 2011
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 23 December 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what weight it will give to responses from outwith Scotland to its consultation on same-sex marriage.

Question reference: S4W-04517

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 December 2011
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 21 December 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the UK Government to protect the interests of consumers in rural areas regarding the procurement of smart utility meters.

Question reference: S4W-04516

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 December 2011
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 21 December 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of public funds directed at increasing access to broadband has been spent in (a) rural and (b) urban areas.

The Scottish Government is making available up to £144.3 million for the delivery of next generation broadband in areas of market failure throughout Scotland. This comprises the Next Generation Digital Fund of £50 million, announced in the Scottish Spending Review 2011 on 21 September; £68.8 million from the UK Government; plus up to £25.5 million ERDF funding in the current programme.

In recognition of the importance of making early progress in rural areas, £15.5 million of this funding stream has already been allocated to Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s Next Generation Broadband Project, and £5 million to the South of Scotland Alliance’s Next Generation Broadband Project. These projects are currently in procurement and pre-procurement phases respectively, and have not yet drawn down this funding.

We will set out our approach to how the remainder of these funds will be spent in (a) rural and (b) urban areas in our national broadband action plan which will be published in January 2012, to be followed in March with a detailed delivery plan.

In terms of previous support for rural areas, the Scottish Government has provided the following funding:

2010: around £800,000 committed to a number of rural broadband projects through the Rural Broadband Challenge Fund. Around £100,000 has currently been spent, with the remainder expected to be spent by 2013.

2007 to 2014: £90 million committed to the Pathfinder North and Pathfinder South project, providing public sector broadband connectivity. Around £74.09 million has currently been spent, with the remainder expected to be spent by 2014.

2008 to 2010: around £2.95 million in the Broadband Reach Project, in which approximately 2,400 premises were provided with satellite or wireless broadband services.

2005: £16.5 million in the Broadband For Scotland Project, in which 378 uneconomic exchanges were upgraded to provide broadband.

Separately, the UK Government is making £100 million available to deliver ten “super connected cities” through its Urban Broadband Fund. Edinburgh has already been pre-selected by the UK Government as one of the ten; the Scottish Government will be pressing to secure inclusion of other Scottish cities.

Question reference: S4W-04518

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 December 2011
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 21 December 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take to ensure that consumers living in remote rural areas will have access to smart utility meters.

Policy on smart electricity and gas meters is a matter reserved to the UK Government under powers conferred under the Energy Act 2008 and extended by the Energy Act 2011. The UK Government will place regulatory obligations on energy suppliers that will require them to take all reasonable steps to install smart meters for all their domestic and smaller non-domestic customers by the completion date in 2019. UK Government officials have stated that this obligation will apply equally to customers in remote rural areas as to others.

Chamber and committees