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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: S3W-33834

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2010
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 8 June 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been budgeted to be spent in 2010-11 by Skills Development Scotland on IT purchases; what proportion of this expenditure will be on replacing old equipment; what the nature and age is of the equipment to be replaced, and the reasons for its replacement.

Question reference: S3W-33836

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2010
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 8 June 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what changes there have been in staffing numbers since Skills Development Scotland was formed, broken down by (a) reception staff, (b) administrative staff, (c) advisers, (d) management and (e) other.

Question reference: S3W-33835

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2010
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 8 June 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what the management structure of Skills Development Scotland is and what policies are in place to ensure that decisions by Skills Development Scotland are made at the lowest possible level.

Question reference: S3W-33831

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2010
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 4 June 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what the status is of the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group.

Question reference: S3W-33828

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2010
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 4 June 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what framework and procedures it is working to regarding the rollout of inshore fisheries groups around Scotland.

Question reference: S3W-33830

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2010
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 4 June 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group last met.

Question reference: S3W-33827

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2010
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 4 June 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what the status is of the document, A Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland.

The Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group (SIFAG) was established in 1999 by the Scottish Fishermen''s Federation and the then Scottish Executive. Its role was to advise on the development of policy and legislation relating to sea fisheries in inshore waters. SIFAG last met in June 2009 and no date has yet been set for its next meeting.

A Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland was published by the then Scottish Executive in 2005, following a strategic review of inshore fisheries carried out by SIFAG which had begun in 2002. The document set out a strategic direction for inshore fisheries policy and announced proposals for a network of up to 12 inshore fisheries groups across Scotland.

Six IFG pilots were established during 2009 covering the Outer Hebrides, Clyde, South East, Small Isles & Mull, North West and the Moray Firth areas. A review of early lessons and economic benefits is being carried out. A further roll out of IFGs will be considered in the light of the findings of the review, which are expected later this year.

The existing IFGs are currently drafting management plans in line with the high level objectives contained in the Strategic Framework. Once these plans have been agreed by the IFG Executive Committees and Advisory Groups, Marine Scotland expects to consult SIFAG representatives to ensure that the plans are in line with national objectives and consider any issues which might have an effect outwith the area of the local plan.

Question reference: S3W-33832

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2010
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 4 June 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive when the next meeting of the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group will take place.

Question reference: S3W-33829

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2010
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 4 June 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is following the procedures for inshore fisheries groups outlined and agreed by stakeholders in A Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland.

Question reference: S3W-33386

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 26 April 2010
Current Status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 18 May 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive on what date and at what time it (a) first contacted NorthLink Ferries Ltd to discuss the removal of the MV Hamnavoe from its Pentland Firth route in order to sail to Bergen, (b) made its decision to send the MV Hamnavoe to Bergen, (c) made public its decision to use the MV Hamnavoe to evacuate people from Bergen and (d) instructed NorthLink Ferries Ltd to make arrangements to send the MV Hamnavoe to Bergen.

(a) Scottish Government officials were first made aware of the emerging situation in Norway by NorthLink at 10:05 on 18 April 2010 when the company referred to this during its routine service update. The option of deploying a NorthLink vessel on this sailing was first discussed between NorthLink and Scottish Government officials on the afternoon of 18 April 2010. The issue was then discussed with ministers the same afternoon.

(b) The decision to send MV Hamnavoe to Bergen to aid in efforts to repatriate stranded UK nationals was taken by ministers at 14:40 on 20 April 2010 once reliable information on demand, which showed that a sailing was justified, had been gathered.

(c) The decision was announced by the First Minister at around 15:15 on 20 April 2010 during an interview with Sky TV. A press release was issued at 15:53 and was placed on the Scottish Government website by 17:00.

NorthLink''s website first indicated at 14:42 on 20 April 2010 that consideration was being given by government to redeploying MV Hamnavoe. This was confirmed on the website at 16:08 and customers with bookings on the affected services were contacted directly.

(d) NorthLink had been kept informed of discussions on an ongoing basis. Once Ministers'' decision was made, this was conveyed immediately to NorthLink. NorthLink confirmed their agreement to undertake this sailing in time for the announcement referred to above.