- Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 03 October 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Johann Lamont on 25 October 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive when the deadline is for submission of comments on the implementation of the EU Energy in Performance in Buildings Directive.
Answer
I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:
The SBSA has uploaded A circular on how Scotland will implement the EU Directive on the energy performance of buildings onto its website. This circular welcomes comments and has effectively acted as a scoping exercise. Comments on this circular are welcome at any time. Where additional secondary legislation is necessary, a formal public consultation will be carried out. This consultation will commence in March 2006 and last for twelve weeks. Comments will be welcome throughout the period of the consultation.
- Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 03 October 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Johann Lamont on 25 October 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive where comments received on the implementation of the EU Energy in Performance in Buildings Directive will be published.
Answer
I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:
Responses received on the Directive consultation, due in March 2006, will be made available to the public in the Scottish Executive Library and on the Scottish Executive consultation website pages. An analysis and summary of the consultation responses will also be made available in the Scottish Executive Library.
- Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 23 September 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place for monitoring the animal welfare standards and health and safety records of beef producers whose produce is sold in Scotland.
Answer
The health and safety of all beef sold in Scotland is controlled by anti-mortem and post-mortem health inspections at the abattoir. Animal welfare in the EU is subject to EU wide legislation. Producers outwith the EU may need to comply with any national animal welfare legislation but compliance with EU welfare standards is not a requirement for export to the EU, as WTO rules prevent this.
- Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 23 September 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to include supermarkets and other retailers in any consultation on new country of origin beef labelling regulations.
Answer
The forthcoming consultation on country of origin of beef relates to the food service rather than the retail sector. The consultation paper will be sent to retail organisations to seek their comments on the proposals.
- Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 23 September 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will consult on new country of origin beef labelling regulations.
Answer
We intend to consult shortly on country of origin of beef in the food service sector.
- Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 23 September 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce new measures to encourage Scottish consumers to buy Scottish beef.
Answer
The Executive has no plans to introduce new measures but it will continue to support Quality Meat Scotland in their efforts to increase consumption of Scotch beef.
- Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 23 September 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is engaging with the National Farmers Union Scotland and other stakeholders on country of origin beef labelling.
Answer
A stakeholder working group was set up to assist the Executive in identifying the issues to be covered in the forthcoming consultation on country of origin of beef in the food service sector. The consultation paper will be sent to NFU Scotland and other stakeholders to seek their comments on the proposals.
- Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 23 September 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to compel supermarkets to take account of the animal welfare standards and health and safety records of beef producers when deciding which beef to stock and sell.
Answer
I have no such plans. All beef for sale in Scotland, whether sourced from EU member states or third countries must have been produced to minimum hygiene and safety standards which apply within the EU.
- Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 23 September 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to encourage Scottish consumers to buy Scottish beef.
Answer
Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) have a range of actions in place to encourage greater consumption of Scotch Beef. These include TV advertisements, in store activities, public information campaigns and healthy eating initiatives. The Executive supports QMS in their efforts.
- Asked by: Richard Baker, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 August 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Patricia Ferguson on 20 September 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage performing companies to stage public performances across Scotland, particularly in the north east.
Answer
The Scottish Executive does not directly fund performing companies. It makes resources available both to local authorities and to the Scottish Arts Council to enable them to facilitate access to cultural activities, including the performing arts.
The Scottish Arts Council provides core funding to 25 arts companies which have a touring remit. These companies tour across Scotland and beyond, and are broken down by art form in the following table.
| Art Form | No. of Companies |
| Drama | 14 |
| Dance | 3 |
| Music | 8 |
| Total | 25 |
For non core-funded companies the Scottish Arts Council has a number of funding streams which are specifically targeted to help with touring expenses. These funds are provided either by the Scottish Executive (voted funds) or the National Lottery, and are outlined in the following table.
| Art Form | Fund | Total Fund 2005-06 |
| Drama Touring | Scottish Companies | £350,000 voted £320,000 lottery |
| Drama | Cross Border Touring | £120,000 lottery* |
| Drama | Non Scottish Companies | £20,000 lottery |
| Drama | Scottish Unfunded Companies | £50,000 lottery |
| Dance | Projects and Touring | £150,000 lottery |
| Music | Tune Up | £200,000 lottery |
Note: *The Cross-border subsidy is a joint arrangement between the respective UK Arts Councils and the amount stated is the Scottish Arts Council contribution.
Additional support for touring is also provided through the Scottish Arts Council’s more general budgets. The Scottish Arts Council has invested £2 million in the recent refurbishment of His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen. It also provides core funding to the Lemon Tree Theatre (some £178,000 in 2005-06). In addition, the Scottish Arts Council funds North East Arts Touring (NEAT) to promote performing arts work in venues throughout the North East of Scotland and to support other local promoters.
