- Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 30 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 11 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost per annum is of a modern apprenticeship.
Answer
The cost
of an apprenticeship varies significantly due to different approaches to organising training and learning across different employers. This makes it impossible to accurately calculate a meaningful average.
As part of the Evaluation of Modern Apprenticeships and Skillseekers (2006), undertaken by Cambridge Policy Consultants, case study interviews were undertaken with employers and these were designed to consider the issues surrounding the full costs of training. The estimated total costs of training varied from just under £14,500 from a young person following a Level 2 VQ in a service sector occupation to £31,500 for modern apprenticeship trainees following manufacturing training frameworks.
The average contribution rate by SDS for apprentices varies from £1,500 for customer service (Level 2) occupations to £9,000 for engineering related occupations at Level 3.
- Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 8 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive which EU ministers the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment has met to discuss electronic identification for sheep.
Answer
Electronic identification of sheep was discussed with those ministers present at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of 23 March 2009. I have also discussed this with the UK Minister Hilary Benn.
- Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 7 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-18217 by Jim Mather on 3 December 2008, whether it expects to reach its target of meeting 100% of the known demand for broadband access in the Scottish Borders by May 2009.
Answer
The Scottish Government has made significant progress in deployment of the Broadband Reach Project. We expect completion of delivery by the end of May 2009 for all for all those from the Scottish Borders (and elsewhere in Scotland) who registered for the project prior to the original deadline of 31 March 2008, and who have placed an order for service.
- Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 5 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment last met farming industry representatives to discuss electronic identification for sheep.
Answer
I often meet with farming representatives where electronic identification for sheep is regularly discussed. The last time I spoke directly on this issue was 23 March 2009.
- Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 5 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will work with the UK Government and relevant transport agencies to ensure that horse transportation lorries used for the purposes of leisure activities are not classed as commercial HGVs in the context of the EU working time directive.
Answer
The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including transport.
Horse transportation lorries used for the purposes of leisure activities are not classed as commercial lorries.
The EU working time directive does not apply to the transportation of pets for non-commercial purposes. Instead the applicable Regulations on drivers hours (Regulation (EC) 561/2006), is aimed at not just commercial lorries but other large vehicles as well. This is directly applicable in all member states, prescribes maximum limits on driving time and minimum requirements for break and rest periods for most drivers of goods vehicles in excess of 3.5 tonnes. It replaced the previous 1985 EU Regulation on 11 April 2007.
There are a number of exemptions from the EU rules, one of which applies to vehicles not exceeding 7.5 tonnes used for the non-commercial carriage of goods “ which would include some privately owned horseboxes. However, for reasons of road safety, drivers of larger privately owned horseboxes continue to fall within scope of the EU rules.
- Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 5 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive in what capacity the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment attended the meeting of the Council of the European Union on 23 March 2009.
Answer
The Cabinet Secretary attended the formal meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council as a member of the United Kingdom delegation. He also, whilst in Brussels, attended meetings in his capacity as Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment.
- Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 5 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings have taken place between the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment and EU ministers regarding electronic identification for sheep in the last six months.
Answer
Electronic identification for sheep was discussed at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of 23 March 2009.
- Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 5 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment last met EU ministers to discuss electronic identification for sheep.
Answer
I last met with EU ministers on the 23 March to discuss electronic identification for sheep at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council. I also discussed this issue directly with Commissioner Vassiliou at this time.
- Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 5 May 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in establishing mechanisms within the context of its national food policy to make land available to local authorities for use as allotment space where there is a proven need and desire for such provision.
Answer
The Scottish Government is working with the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society representing local allotment groups to help them access land. We are also continuing to explore a range of legal and financial issues associated with making Scottish Government land available to local authorities.
- Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 30 April 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the 2008 woodfuel demand and usage data published by Forestry Commission Scotland, what measures it will take to incentivise and encourage the use of underutilised forest materials for biomass initiatives.
Answer
The woodfuel demand and usage study reported increasing levels of demand for woodfuel. While the report of the Wood Fuel Task Force report indicated that there are substantial additional supplies of woody biomass. It recommended a number of actions which have been taken forward over the last year by the Task Force Steering Group.
Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) is working with a number of stakeholders to increase material from small under-utilised woodlands to develop the potential of energy forestry. FCS is also working with local authorities to improve data on wood waste and other currently unused woody material such as arboricultural arisings. Support is provided through the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) for improved management of woodlands, which can bring additional material to market, and support the development of the supply chain infrastructure. FCS continues to support the development of a strong, sustainable woodfuel industry to stimulate the use of currently underutilised resources.
