- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 11 November 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 19 November 2013
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Minister for External Affairs and International Development discussed (a) human rights or (b) participative democracy during his recent visit to the Gulf states.
Answer
Yes, I spoke about human rights and participative democracy whilst on my recent visit to the Gulf, in line with the principles of the Scottish Government’s International Framework. I also took the opportunity to speak about participation relating to young people and women.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 11 November 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 19 November 2013
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to raise the case of the poet, Mohamed al-Ajami, during the Minister for External Affairs and International Development's visit to Qatar.
Answer
As stated in the Scottish Government’s International Framework we will raise human rights where and when appropriate. During my recent brief visit to Qatar I was able to raise issues relating to freedom of artistic expression and human rights.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 07 November 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 18 November 2013
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd regarding the Air Accident Investigation Branch’s suggestion for an upgrade in sea rescue craft to be stationed at Sumburgh Airport in light of the fatal helicopter accident on 23 August 2013 and what action has been taken.
Answer
This issue was discussed by Transport Scotland officials and Highlands and Islands Airport Litd (HIAL) management on 31 October 2013. This issue was also discussed at the HIAL Board meeting on 8 November 2013 at which Transport Scotland officials were present.
HIAL intend to follow the AAIB’s Safety Recommendation 2013-021 in relation to water rescue capability.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 25 September 2013
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will begin consulting on crofting law reform in 2013.
Answer
My officials have already begun discussions with key stakeholders on how to take this issue forward and discussions will continue on an ongoing basis.
However, as I indicated in the Scottish Parliament on 25 June 2013 (Official Report column 21444), addressing issues relating to crofting legislation is a complex task which cannot happen overnight. All concerned need some time to take stock and to ensure that what we do next is right for crofting and for remote and rural Scotland.
Scottish Ministers will keep members informed of progress via correspondence with the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee and the Cross Party Group on crofting.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 12 July 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 9 August 2013
To ask the Scottish Government how much it cost Skills Development Scotland to hire a facilitator for the week beginning 24 June 2013 to travel to three islands and Inverness; how this exercise will be evaluated, and whether local employers were asked in advance for their (a) input, (b) requirements and (c) availability.
Answer
Procurement of services is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the member.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 12 July 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 9 August 2013
To ask the Scottish Government how Skills Development Scotland identifies the training and workshop needs in communities such as Shetland and how local offices are involved in this process.
Answer
Training and workshop needs and involvement of local offices is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the chief executive to write to the member.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 12 July 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 9 August 2013
To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, how Skills Development Scotland will re-evaluate its Shetland operational planning following the non-attendance at the Lerwick workshop for local employers on 24 June 2013, for which no more than one week’s notice was given.
Answer
This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the chief executive to write to the member.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 12 July 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 9 August 2013
To ask the Scottish Government how it assesses the effectiveness of Skills Development Scotland’s local offices (a) in general and (b) in Shetland.
Answer
Assessments of Skills Development Scotland’s (SDS) local offices is an operational matter for SDS. As such, I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the member.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 12 July 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 9 August 2013
To ask the Scottish Government how it assesses how well businesses and employers understand the full extent of services available from Skills Development Scotland.
Answer
Assessments of how well businesses and employers understand the services available is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the chief executive to write to the member.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 01 July 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 July 2013
To ask the Scottish Government how many trees have been planted in the national forest estate since May 2011.
Answer
The number of trees planted on the national forest estate since May 2011 is 23,000,000 which include both new planting and restocking. This figure is based at an average stocking density of 2,000 trees per hectare.