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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.

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Question reference: S4W-04801

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 whether it will undertake a national review of flood prevention measures and identify priority areas for improvements.

In 2007, all the existing flood defences in Scotland were assessed as part of the establishment of the Scottish Government’s Flood Defence Asset Database. There were only a few flood defences where minor problems were identified, one of which was Bridge of Earn. Perth and Kinross Council was given the report and has taken appropriate action to resolve the maintenance issues identified.

Since then, a new National Flood Risk Assessment has been undertaken by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the outputs from which were approved by ministers on 22 December 2011.

The assessment has identified areas where significant flood risk exists (“Potentially Vulnerable Areas”) – and for the first time we have a national picture of flood risk across Scotland. This is a key milestone towards Scotland being able to target efforts to plan and invest in reducing impacts in areas most vulnerable to flooding. This will help Scotland become more resilient to the impacts of flooding.

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-04797

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 support it is giving to conservation agencies to protect the Scottish wildcat.

Scottish Natural Heritage is the main funder of the Cairngorm Wildcat Project through the Species Action Framework (2007-12). Project management is delivered via the Cairngorms National Park Authority and, over the lifetime of the project, Scottish Government agencies will have contributed £172.5 thousand to the project. Following conclusion of the project, there will be an evaluation of the approaches trialled and an assessment of the costs of their application to other geographies.

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-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: 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: 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-04549

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 21 December 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the summary and analysis of its consultation on same-sex marriage will incorporate responses from outwith Scotland.