Seòmar agus comataidhean

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 2683 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S1W-20670

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 December 2001
Current Status: Answered by Allan Wilson on 28 December 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive what social and economic consequences of its proposal to designate Sullom Voe as a marine Special Area of Conservation it considered before deciding to submit the proposal to the European Commission.

European Court of Justice rulings have determined that socio-economic factors cannot be taken into account when considering the designation of Natura sites. Once a site has been submitted to the European Commission, socio-economic factors can be and are taken into account in the management of these areas. Social and economic issues which were raised during the consultation will be taken into account in further discussions on management of the site.

Question reference: S1W-20669

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 December 2001
Current Status: Answered by Allan Wilson on 28 December 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the social and economic consequences of its proposal to designate Sullom Voe as a marine Special Area of Conservation as included in its submission to the European Commission on this proposal.

Question reference: S1W-20673

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 December 2001
Current Status: Answered by Allan Wilson on 28 December 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive on what date it made its submission to the European Commission on its proposal to designate Sullom Voe as a marine Special Area of Conservation.

Question reference: S1W-20671

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 December 2001
Current Status: Answered by Allan Wilson on 28 December 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive what the scientific basis was for its proposal to designate Sullom Voe as a marine Special Area of Conservation.

Shetland Voes have been identified as a discrete type of Large Shallow Inlet and Bay using definitions published by the European Commission and by the UK Joint Nature Conservation Committee for the purpose of the Habitats Directive.The criteria used to assess Special Areas of Conservation were published in the Joint Nature Conservation Committee Report number 270. Application of these criteria, using a range of ecological information from surveys undertaken over 35 years, has demonstrated that Sullom Voe meets the published definition of a Large Shallow Inlet and Bay, and qualifies as the most suitable candidate for selection on the basis of its area of qualifying habitat and the range and ecological richness of its biotopes.

Question reference: S1W-20787

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 07 December 2001
Current Status: Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 21 December 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it is having with oil companies over targets set for energy production involving renewable energy; which oil companies have been involved in any such discussions, and when any such discussions took place.

The Executive's published objective is that by 2010 renewable energy will account for 18% of Scottish electricity supply. This will be delivered by the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) which is already stimulating demand for renewable energy development, and some manufacturing opportunities. The PILOT taskforce on which the Executive is represented has conducted a Diversification/New Business Study into renewable energy diversification opportunities open to oil companies. The Executive and Scottish Enterprise, along with DTI, are now promoting these opportunities to a range of companies including the oil and gas sector. Discussions between the Executive and oil companies about individual renewable projects are subject to commercial confidentiality.

Question reference: S1W-20788

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 07 December 2001
Current Status: Answered by Patricia Ferguson on 21 December 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive what its working arrangements are for responding to MSPs seeking factual and policy information directly from officials in its departments and when these arrangements were instituted.

From 23 April 2001, the Scottish Executive business directory has been available electronically to MSPs, their assistants and Parliament staff. Guidance on usage is available on the front page of the directory which links into more detailed guidance for both MSPs and Executive staff. MSPs and their staff are asked to use the directory to identify the appropriate member of the Executive's staff to contact direct for factual information, but are asked to do so only after alternative available sources have been explored. Inquiries about policy matters should continue to be directed to the relevant minister.

Question reference: S1W-20462

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 November 2001
Current Status: Answered by Ross Finnie on 11 December 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19427 by Rhona Brankin on 9 November 2001, of the fishing vessels fishing for shellfish within the six-mile limit which were (a) boarded by the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency and (b) reported for prosecution, how many were (i) boarded when at sea, (ii) boarded when alongside a pier, and (iii) lying at a mooring and what fishing methods was used by each boat in each category including (1) diving, (2) fishing with nets, (3) fishing with creels and (4) fishing with dredges in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

I have asked Mr Paul Du Vivier, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency to respond. His response is as follows:All 1,390 boardings referred to in my previous answer were carried out at sea. The table provides details of the fishing methods used on a year by year basis.

Year	Method	Boardings	Prosecutions
1997	Diving	nil
	Nets	239
	Creels	72
	Dredges	59
1998	Diving	9
	Nets	219
	Creels	107
	Dredges	77
1999	Diving	3	1
	Nets	149
	Creels	38
	Dredges	27
2000	Diving	7
	Nets	126	3
	Creels	65
	Dredges	47
	Other	3
2001	Diving	2
	Nets	100
	Creels	14
	Dredges	27	1

Question reference: S1W-20681

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 December 2001
Current Status: Answered by Ross Finnie on 6 December 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the Fisheries Council held in Brussels on 27 November 2001.

My officials attended the council as part of the UK Delegation.

The council discussed a Commission proposal to extend the fourth Multi-Annual Guidance Programme (MAGP IV) for a further year as a transitional measure pending the outcome of the Common Fisheries Policy review next year. MAGP IV sets targets for reducing capacity and effort of EU fishing fleets and is due to expire at the end of this year. The UK supported the Commission in its proposals to extend targets into 2002 and to tighten the rules on public aid for vessel modernisation and construction, in order to ensure that such aid does not increase capacity beyond the set limits. However, there was disagreement among member states about the way forward and this issue is likely to be reconsidered at the December council.

The council discussed the difficult negotiations with the North Atlantic coastal states about setting a total allowable catch for blue whiting for 2002, taking account of scientific advice that this stock is being heavily over-fished and is therefore at risk of collapse. The Commission was given a steer by ministers to seek to negotiate an agreed TAC at a further meeting of coastal states next month in order to secure sustainable exploitation of this stock.

The council received a report from the Commission on monitoring of enforcement of CFP rules in Community waters and noted the Commission's concerns about variations across members states in the level of enforcement and penalties for infringements. The Commission will be bringing forward proposals to address these concerns as part of the CFP Review.

The council agreed a restructuring package for that part of the Spanish and Portuguese fleets which formerly fished in Moroccan waters, following the termination of the fisheries agreement between the EU and Morocco. The UK and several other member states made it clear that they expect Spain and Portugal to ensure that any residual vessels modernised with EU funds under this package will not fish in EU waters. There was also agreement on a renewed fisheries agreement between the EU and Mauritania.

The Commission reported to ministers on an outline timetable for dealing with the reform of the CFP during 2002. The commission also reminded members of the importance of ratifying as soon as practicable the UN agreement on straddling stocks.

Question reference: S1W-20229

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 November 2001
Current Status: Answered by Ross Finnie on 6 December 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the potential market opportunities for firms stemming from the forthcoming Renewables Obligation (Scotland).

Question reference: S1W-20228

Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 November 2001
Current Status: Answered by Ross Finnie on 6 December 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure that firms involved in the design, development and manufacture of renewable technology benefit from any increased demand created by the forthcoming Renewables Obligation (Scotland).

We have been working with Scottish Enterprise to encourage Scottish companies to diversify into the manufacturing opportunities which are arising from development of renewable energy sources under the Executive's proposed Renewables Obligation (Scotland). A roadshow on the subject was well attended by companies, and several of them are now pursuing opportunities for new business. We will continue to promote the renewables industry, to attract investment to Scotland and to help Scottish companies take advantage of this new business opportunity.