- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 December 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 15 December 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the adoption of the European Convention on Human Rights will be taken into account in the drafting of land reform legislation in connection with access.
Answer
All Acts of the Scottish Parliament require to be compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. Full account is, therefore, being taken of the Convention in drafting the legislation to establish a Right of responsible access to the countryside.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 December 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 14 December 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the adoption of the European Convention on Human Rights will be taken into account in the drafting of land reform legislation in connection with community right to buy.
Answer
The Scottish Executive's legislation on land reform is being drafted taking full account of the need for compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 December 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 14 December 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what private companies, public sector agencies and other entities have the power of compulsory purchase in Scotland under either UK or Scots law.
Answer
The following bodies have the power of compulsory purchase in Scotland: Government Departments and some agencies; bodies with statutory obligations; local authorities; certain bodies subject to a Regulator; and others who obtain compulsory purchase powers by way of private legislation.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 December 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 14 December 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of the European Convention on Human Rights, it is proposed to alter arrangements for compensation in the event of a successful compulsory purchase order.
Answer
As part of the modernisation of the planning system we are reviewing compulsory purchase, compensation and related matters. Any legislation which we bring before the Scottish Parliament will need to be compatible with the Convention.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 18 November 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 25 November 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to prevent the growing number of incidents of tuberculosis amongst badgers in the North of England spreading into Scotland, with possible serious consequences for our dairy herd.
Answer
We have no evidence of a growing number of incidents of TB in badgers in the north east of England. There has, indeed, never been a TB outbreak in cattle herds in Scotland which could be associated with TB infection in badgers.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 November 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 25 November 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to prevent the growing number of incidents of tuberculosis amongst badgers in the North of England spreading into Scotland, with possible serious consequences for our dairy herd.
Answer
We have no evidence of a growing number of incidents of TB in badgers in the north east of England. There has, indeed, never been a TB outbreak in cattle herds in Scotland which could be associated with TB infection in badgers.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 October 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 15 November 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost is per sign of providing local authorities with speed activated signs to deter speeding drivers as currently provided to Dumfries and Galloway council.
Answer
The cost of providing the speed activated electronic signs is £5,000 each. In addition the operating cost of each sign is approximately £2,000 per sign per annum.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 October 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 2 November 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to establish an appeals procedure for farmers following the Minister for Finance's confirmation in the debate on expenditure plans on 6 October (Official Report Column 1036) that funds will be available.
Answer
A review of the possible options for an independent appeal mechanism is currently underway. Details of the proposed arrangements will be issued for consultation by the end of the year. While it would not be appropriate to anticipate the legislative process, it is hoped that the new arrangements would be in place to apply to applications made in the IACS 2000 scheme year.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 October 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 2 November 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that all local authorities within Scotland are purchasing British foodstuffs, where there is a choice, for use within their catering operations.
Answer
Such action would not be appropriate. Procurement by local authorities is a matter for them, subject to any relevant legal requirements. Such requirements include, for example, European Community law which prohibits discrimination on grounds of nationality and prohibits measures which impede the free movement of goods.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 September 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 29 October 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive how many wildfowl would be saved each year by implementing a lead shot ban in Scotland.
Answer
Comprehensive information is not available. Best estimates suggest that 2.3% of the total population of wild mallards die each year in Britain as a result of lead poisoning. Research has estimated that the percentage of birds found to have ingested lead varies from 7.7% in the Inner Solway Firth to 16.7% in NE Grampian.
