- Asked by: Robin Harper, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 July 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 22 September 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce legislation to ban fox-hunting with dogs in Scotland before, or subsequent to, the introduction of similar legislation for England and Wales by Her Majesty's Government.
Answer
We have no plans to introduce legislation to ban fox-hunting with dogs.
- Asked by: Robin Harper, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 September 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 21 September 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to take account of the consensus that exists in Scotland on education and sustainable development as embodied in the Education 21 forum.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is committed to integrating the principles of environmentally and socially sustainable development into all Government policies, including education. The Executive shares many of the aspirations of the Education 21 Forum and we will be taking these into account when developing our policies.
- Asked by: Robin Harper, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 September 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 21 September 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what account it proposes to take in its draft Education Bill of the recommendations in Scotland the Sustainable: the Learning Process produced by the former Secretary of State's advisory Education for Sustainable Development Group.
Answer
The Improvement in Scottish Education Bill is intended to create a transparent framework for improvement in schools.The Scottish Executive is committed to integrating the principles of environmentally and socially sustainable development into all Government policies, including education and the "Scotland the Sustainable" report was a useful addition to the debate on how this can best be done.
- Asked by: Robin Harper, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 September 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 21 September 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures proposed in the draft Improvement in Education Bill reflect its commitment to integrate the principles of environmentally and socially sustainable development into all policy areas.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is committed to considering the sustainable development implications of all new pieces of legislation. The Improvement in Scottish Education Bill is intended to create a transparent framework for improvement in schools. Within that framework Ministers will gain powers to set national priorities for schools education while giving authorities flexibility to respond to local needs.In parallel we are working to develop the 5-14 curriculum to promote an awareness of sustainable development.
- Asked by: Robin Harper, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 29 July 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 7 September 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a statement regarding the justification for the genetic crop research being carried out in Scotland, and give an assurance that no experiment in respect of such research will endanger or compromise any near or adjacent organic farming enterprise.
Answer
It is essential that scientific information is available on the environmental effects of genetically modified crops before decisions are taken on wider use. It is important that full information is obtained on the effects of genetically modified crops under Scottish conditions, which can be very different from elsewhere in the UK. Sound future policy cannot be formulated without this information.
The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) has advised that the information from decades of experience with producing seeds to specific purity levels can be used to estimate the level of cross pollination which is likely to occur between crops in adjacent fields at specific distances. It is not possible, however, to guarantee absolutely that no cross pollination will occur, even with very large separation distances, although the amount of cross pollination decreases rapidly with distance.All crops in the farm-scale evaluations are being grown in accordance with the SCIMAC (Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops) Code of Practice and Guidelines. The guidelines set out proposed separation distances between GM and non-GM crops and are based on internationally recognised criteria for ensuring high purity in seed production.
- Asked by: Robin Harper, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 July 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 23 August 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take to ensure that the world heritage site of St Kilda is fully protected from the potential threats posed by the deep water oil developments being licensed there by Her Majesty's Government.
Answer
We are satisfied that the measures in place for consideration of the potential environmental impact of petroleum activities on all parts of the UK Continental Shelf ensure the protection of the St Kilda World Heritage Site. The licensing of blocks for petroleum exploration and development is a reserved matter and rests with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. For future licensing rounds, the Scottish Executive will be fully consulted before any new licenses are granted.
The UK Government have convened a round table meeting of relevant stakeholders with a view to the preparation of a State of Conservation Report on St Kilda for the next meeting of the World Heritage Bureau due to be held in Marrakech in November.In addition, under the Offshore Petroleum Production and Pipe-Lines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1999, the Scottish Executive is a statutory consultee for relevant projects requiring the consent of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
- Asked by: Robin Harper, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 21 June 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by John Home Robertson on 4 August 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether responsibility transfers to it on 1 July for (a) protection of the marine environment and wildlife from pollution resulting from oil exploitation and oil spills in Scottish waters and (b) licensing of oil exploration in Scottish deep water areas.
Answer
Within controlled waters (ie waters within the meaning of section 30A)(1) of the Control of Pollution Act 1974), responsibility for the protection of the marine environment from oil pollution rests with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency which is accountable to Scottish Ministers. Elsewhere in Scottish waters that responsibility is reserved to Westminster by the Scotland Act 1998.The licensing of oil exploration in all UK waters is reserved to Westminster.
- Asked by: Robin Harper, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 19 July 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by John Home Robertson on 3 August 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the operation of the Conservation of Seals Act (1970) to ensure that enforcement arrangements are as effective as possible.
Answer
All Scottish police forces have a Wildlife Liaison Officer whose responsibilities include enforcement of the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 and investigations of any alleged offences under the Act. The Scottish Executive maintains close contact with these officers to keep the operation of the Act under regular review.
- Asked by: Robin Harper, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 21 June 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 13 July 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will be consulted from 1 July by Her Majesty's Government prior to the licensing of oil developments in Scottish waters and, if so, whether it intends to consult the Parliament on its responses.
Answer
The licensing of oil developments is a reserved matter. Nonetheless administrative arrangements are being made to ensure that the Scottish Executive is routinely kept informed of proposed rounds of licensing. If any of the proposals have a particular impact on Scotland, the Scottish Executive will have an opportunity to comment on them. It will depend on the circumstances of each case as to whether consultation with the Parliament is appropriate.
