- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 19 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 21 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive when the last consultations with the agricultural industry over the proposed changes to Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances took place.
Answer
The Scottish Executive discussed its proposals for the scheme that will succeed Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances with a wide range of parties with an interest in agriculture in the run-up to the submission of the Rural Development Plan. Further discussions will be held in light of the European Commission's detailed comments and the Executive's response to it.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 01 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 21 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the annual income raised by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency from charges paid by each of (i) United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, (ii) British Nuclear Fuels Ltd, (iii) British Energy and (iv) the operators of any other plants discharging significant quantities of radioactive matter into the environment.
Answer
The annual income raised by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency from charges paid for the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 was:
(i) £186,000 from United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
(ii) £47,000 from British Nuclear Fuels Ltd
(iii) £48, 000 from British Energy
(iv) £29,000 from other operators of plants discharging significant quantities of radioactive matter into the environment.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 20 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government about proposals to allow 44 tonne trucks on Scottish roads.
Answer
The Scottish Executive has made no representations to the United Kingdom Government on this matter.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 05 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 19 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is proposing to address the traffic impact created by extensive customer parking provided at out-of-town retail and leisure facilities as an alternative to a customer parking levy.
Answer
National Planning Policy Guidelines 8 and 17 provide that new retail and leisure facilities should be sited where there is a choice of transport. The Executive is keen to work with operators of major retail and leisure facilities and local authorities to reduce car usage for new and existing facilities through improving public transport, walking and cycling access and home delivery services.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 05 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 19 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for tightening the laws governing parking controls around bus stops, pedestrian crossings and schools.
Answer
Local roads authorities have wide ranging powers to control parking by promoting Traffic Orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. These powers enable the authorities to regulate parking on roads throughout their area, including parking around bus stops, pedestrian crossings and schools.
The Scottish Executive has no plans to amend the legislation.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 05 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 19 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive why the preparation of local transport strategies by local authorities is non-statutory.
Answer
The Executive does not believe it necessary to make Local Transport Strategies statutory. All 32 local authorities, together with Strathclyde Passenger Transport, submitted interim strategies. Moreover, a statutory requirement will not guarantee the quality of the strategies submitted.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 05 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 19 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to encourage large employers to adopt green transport plans.
Answer
The Executive is collaborating with the UK Government in offering guidance to employers; undertaking research on the practical delivery of green transport plans; and encouraging local authorities to promote green transport plans with the context of their Local Transport Strategies.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 05 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 19 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will specify any targets relating to transport use and the environment that relate to the proposals within its proposed Integrated Transport Bill.
Answer
Take up of the proposed powers in the Integrated Transport Bill will vary depending on local circumstances. It would not be appropriate to set national targets relating to these provisions.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 05 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 19 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is developing policies that explicitly link traffic reduction targets with the realisation of commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions or whether it has any evidence indicating that carbon dioxide targets can be met without taking this action.
Answer
Consultation on a Scottish Climate Change Programme closed earlier this month. Responses will assist the development of a final programme, due for publication in the autumn. The final programme will contain measures in a number of sectors, including transport, which will help to deliver the UK Kyoto commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the UK domestic goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 20% by 2010.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 05 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 19 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authorities have followed the advice set out in NPPG 17 Transport and Planning to set maximum as opposed to minimum numbers of parking spaces for new developments in their planning policies.
Answer
In July 1999, a questionnaire was sent to each local authority as part of research into current practice. Of the 19 responses, five councils confirmed that they included either actual or proposed maximum car parking standards within their Local Transport Strategies. A further seven councils indicated they were revising or would review existing policies. All 19 confirmed their intention to develop maximum car parking standards.