- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 February 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 10 March 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-5872 by Tavish Scott on 10 February 2004, how many local authorities exercise their right under section 43 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to require anyone carrying on the trade of, or being employed as, a window cleaner in their area to obtain a licence and how much each such local authority charges for the licence.
Answer
This information is not heldcentrally.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 February 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Allan Wilson on 8 March 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to protect the red squirrel.
Answer
In partnership with other organisations, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Forestry Commission launchedthe “Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation” on 18 February 2004. This identifies specific actions to address threats such as the effect of grey squirrels, changes to woodland habitats, the spread of disease, and predationby other species, upon the red squirrel population in Scotland.
This work will assist theimplementation of the UK Red Squirrel Species Action Plan in Scotland.
The red squirrel is fullyprotected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1918. The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Bill, currently being considered by Parliament,contains additional significant measures to improve protection for Scotland’s wildlife.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 February 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Allan Wilson on 8 March 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to limit the activities of the American grey squirrel.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is looking to the “Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation”, publishedon 18 February 2004 and jointly chaired by Scottish Natural Heritage andthe Forestry Commission, to address the impact of grey squirrels on the redsquirrel population in Scotland. This work will include the monitoring of the spreadof diseases in both red and grey squirrels, and changes in forestry practicesto assist the red squirrel population.
The grey squirrel is listedon Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and is prohibited fromfurther release into the wild.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 February 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Allan Wilson on 8 March 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the relevant authorities in England and Wales in respect of the preservation of the red squirrel.
Answer
My officials are in regularcontact with staff in defra andthe Welsh Assembly Government on a number of species related matters, includingred squirrels. Defra officials arefully aware of last month’s launch of the “Scottish Strategy for Red SquirrelConservation”.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 February 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Allan Wilson on 8 March 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in respect of reports that the greatest threat to the native red squirrel is the American grey squirrel.
Answer
Research has shown thatcompetition from grey squirrels is considered to be the primary threat to Scotland’s redsquirrel population. Other factors such as changes in woodland habitats, thespread of disease and predation by other species also contribute to the declineof red squirrels in Scotland.
Action to address theseissues is being taken forward in a partnership led by Scottish Natural Heritageand the Forestry Commission, through the “Scottish Strategy for Red SquirrelConservation”, launched on 18 February 2004.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 30 January 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Mary Mulligan on 13 February 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to explore with companies such as Calor Gas Ltd the possibilities of operating a scheme such as the Staywarm scheme run by Powergen so that rural householders who are unable to access natural gas can benefit from similar easy payment schemes.
Answer
We have no plans to work with energy companies to provide tariffs.The introduction of any such tariff or scheme would be a matter for private companies.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 29 January 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 10 February 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what statutory obligations local authorities have in respect of licensing window cleaners and what discretion they have in exercising such obligations.
Answer
Under section 43 of theCivic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 local authorities have an optional powerto require anyone carrying on the trade of, or being employed as, a windowcleaner in their area to obtain a licence. If opting to license windowcleaners, the 1982 Act empowers local authorities to attach such reasonableconditions as they fit to any such licences.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 January 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Hugh Henry on 10 February 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of relocating the Accountant in Bankruptcy's office to Ayrshire in 2005, including any estimated redundancy costs.
Answer
The cost of relocating the agency to Ayrshire will depend on the exact site chosen and whether it is to be a new or adapted building. The agency has commissioned work to identify options. Since the agency’s staff are employed by the Scottish Executive and are able to apply for posts elsewhere in the Executive, the agency does not anticipate any redundancies.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 January 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Malcolm Chisholm on 10 February 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that Fosamax, Didronel and Actonel will continue to be available under the NHS for all patients diagnosed with osteoporosis.
Answer
Fosmax, Didronel and Actonelare available on NHS prescription. Their use depends on the clinical judgementof the doctor concerned.
The National Institute forClinical Excellence (NICE) has recently undertaken a consultation on the firstdraft of a technology appraisal on the use of medicines for the prevention andtreatment of osteoporosis and prevention of osteoporotic fractures inpostmenopausal women. The draft document does not constitute NICE’s formalguidance on this technology: the recommendations are preliminary and may changeafter consultation.
NHS Quality ImprovementScotland is involved throughout the NICE appraisal process as a consultee and advisesNHSScotland on the suitability of NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance in Scotland.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 January 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Allan Wilson on 27 January 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA) have been recorded in Scotland in each of the last five years and what action it takes when CLA is identified within a sheep flock.
Answer
This is not a notifiable disease requiring incidents to be reported; consequently no records are heldcentrally.
