- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 01 October 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 15 October 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what effects the draft Dairy Products (Hygiene) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 would have, if enacted, on the Scottish farmhouse cheesemaking industry.
Answer
It is not envisaged that the draft Dairy Products (Hygiene) (Scotland) Regulations 1999, if enacted, would have a significant effect on the Scottish farmhouse cheesemaking industry.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 September 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 12 October 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1683 by Nicol Stephen on 23 September, whether employment potential is one of the factors considered by Local Enterprise Companies in determining whether or not a contract offers maximum value for money.
Answer
This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. However we understand that in awarding contracts, Local Enterprise Companies operate competitive tendering on the basis of cost, quality, programme track record and overall best value or money. Factors such as employment potential may come into play where all other criteria are equal.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 13 September 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 29 September 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive how many farmers in Scotland have been required to repay sheep annual premium because of incorrect record keeping when, on inspection, sheep numbers were higher than claimed for, in 1997, 1998 and 1999.
Answer
Under the 1997, 1998 and 1999 Sheep Annual Premium (SAP) Schemes, a total of 153 producers have had premium withheld, or been asked to repay subsidy payments, because of inadequate flock record keeping. Of that total, 67 producers were found to have present on their holding (on the day of the inspection) numbers of sheep greater than that on which SAP had been claimed.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 September 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of Lothian and Edinburgh Enterprise Ltd's decision to award the contract for Holyrood North Phase Five to Drew Construction Ltd, who have sub-contracted the supply of kerb and drainage channel stone to Granit Union of Inverness who will source that stone in China, what steps it will take to ensure that Scottish taxpayers' money is used to foster Scottish jobs by using Scottish products in future contracts awarded by Local Enterprise Councils.
Answer
Local Enterprise Companies are required by their operating contracts with Scottish Enterprise to put contracts out to tender to maximise value for money.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 September 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 23 September 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of Lothian and Edinburgh Enterprise Ltd's decision to award the contract for Holyrood North Phase Five to Drew Construction Ltd, who have sub-contracted the supply of kerb and drainage channel stone to Granit Union of Inverness who will source that stone in China, what steps it will take to ensure that Scottish taxpayers' money is used to foster Scottish jobs by using Scottish products in future contracts awarded by Local Enterprise Councils.
Answer
Local Enterprise Companies are required by their operating contracts with Scottish Enterprise to put contracts out to tender to maximise value for money.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 16 August 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 10 September 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the funding available for drug rehabilitation programmes and facilities in rural Scotland.
Answer
It is for Drug Action Teams in both rural and urban areas to review the adequacy of local drug misuse services, and take steps to make the necessary provision available through the statutory agencies concerned.
Local authorities in Scotland are budgeting to spend £8.8 million on drugs and alcohol services in the community in this financial year, from a total social work budget of £1.1 billion. In addition, some expenditure under other service headings will be drug related. Authorities received an increase in social work service provision of £51.3m this year and will receive an additional £43.4 million in 2000-2001 and £35.7 million in 2001-2002.This year an additional £2 million has been made available to Health Boards for drug treatment services. This brings the total funding in this financial year to £11.3 million, (which does not include HIV/AIDS expenditure, some of which is drug related.) Health Boards are also free to draw down resources from other Hospital and Community Health Services budgets for drug misuse work, if required.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 16 August 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 10 September 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that the all work test for severe disablement allowance is sufficiently inclusive to detect sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome or M.E.
Answer
The all-work test and entitlement to Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) are matters for the Department of Social Security and as such are reserved to the Westminster Parliament.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 02 September 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 9 September 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the issues currently affecting the Scottish sheep farming industry.
Answer
I have already taken positive steps with the industry to encourage and promote increased sales of our lamb both at home and abroad. Extra money has been given to help find new markets too. Additionally, the European Commission has been asked to introduce private storage aids for lamb. I will be convening further meetings with the industry over the autumn to keep the position under review, and to look at any ways in which the present difficulties affecting the sheep sector might be relieved.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 September 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 9 September 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the issues currently affecting the Scottish sheep farming industry.
Answer
I have already taken positive steps with the industry to encourage and promote increased sales of our lamb both at home and abroad. Extra money has been given to help find new markets too. Additionally, the European Commission has been asked to introduce private storage aids for lamb. I will be convening further meetings with the industry over the autumn to keep the position under review, and to look at any ways in which the present difficulties affecting the sheep sector might be relieved.
- Asked by: Alex Fergusson, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 13 August 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 31 August 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive in the light of recent changes in political and economic circumstances, whether it intends that the decision to construct the Scotland to Northern Ireland interconnector be subject to debate within Parliament.
Answer
Consent for the construction of the Interconnector was granted in 1997. The decision having been made there is no statutory basis on which it can be reviewed. Accordingly I have no plans to debate this topic at present.
