- 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 Richard Lochhead on 27 April 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what changes have been made to public sector food procurement procedures since the national food and drink policy workstream, Walking the Talk, was created in August 2008.
Answer
The chair responsible for providing recommendations on the workstream Walking the Talk is producing a report and recommendations which I will consider in taking forward any changes with regards to public procurement.
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- 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 Richard Lochhead on 27 April 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive when the national food and drink policy workstream, Walking the Talk, last met.
Answer
The national food and drink policy development workstream Walking the Talk last met on 13 March 2009.
- 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 Richard Lochhead on 27 April 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive when the national food and drink policy workstream, Walking the Talk, last published a report on its progress.
Answer
Minutes of the meetings of the national food and drink policy workstream Walking the Talk are available on the Scottish Government website - the latest being 13 March 2009.
- 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 Jim Mather on 22 April 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive when the reporter’s findings in relation to the Fallago Rig wind farm public inquiry will be published.
Answer
The report from the Public Local Inquiry on the Fallago Rig wind farm will be published on the day the ministerial decision is announced. A news release will be issued and the decision details, including the Inquiry report will be made available on the Energy Consents website
www.scotland.gov.uk/enterprise/energy.
- Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 02 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 2 April 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in implementing Scottish Borders Council’s economic recovery plan to help towns that have recently suffered job losses in the textiles sector, such as Hawick and Jedburgh.
Answer
Through our Government Economic Strategy and our six-point programme for economic recovery we are using all the levers at our disposal to assist businesses and individuals and position our economy to take early advantage of the recovery.
This includes the acceleration of nearly £293 million in capital expenditure into 2009-10, on top of £30 million in 2008-09, supporting 5,800 jobs across Scotland.
The current downturn presents challenges for the Scottish Borders area as elsewhere in Scotland, but all local partners including Scottish Enterprise and the local authority are actively pursuing a comprehensive and fully engaged economic strategy for the area together with the overarching South of Scotland Competitiveness Strategy, which sets out a clear direction and vision for the area going forward.
- Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 March 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 26 March 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what legal or other measures it will put in place to prevent and reduce alcohol misuse.
Answer
This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0326-01.htm
- Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 02 March 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 23 March 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commit to working with rural industries to find an alternative organisation to the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group Scotland to ensure the delivery of the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) and maintain choice for people seeking advice on applications to the SRDP.
Answer
The Scottish Government already funds the Scottish Agricultural College to provide veterinary services and public good advice “ including advice on agri-environment, rural diversification and crofting issues - to the value of £7 million per annum. Funding is also available to assist applicants to the SRDP to make proposals under Rural Priorities.
Grant assistance from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) Scotland was not linked to the provision of advice to land managers in relation to the preparation of SRDP applications but rather to the delivery of specific public environmental benefits. In providing advice to land managers on the preparation of applications for the SRDP, FWAG Scotland, like any other commercial organisation, had to provide services on a competitive basis. I believe there remains a significant choice of companies and independent advisors who are able to provide the advisory services required by land managers in Scotland for the preparation of applications for the SRDP. However, I remain open to receiving suggestions on how to maintain choice for those seeking advice on applications to the SRDP.
- Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 05 March 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 19 March 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is working to help the Borders Forest Trust to ensure the viability of its Woodschool Ltd venture.
Answer
Forestry Commission Scotland has worked with Borders Forest Trust on various projects over the years but none directly involving Woodschool. The Commission would be happy to discuss this venture with the Trust, and work with other local partners, such as the local Business Gateway service, which can provide free information, advice and support for local businesses.
- Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 March 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 19 March 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to ensure that junior doctors are given the right support to allow them to carry out their duties.
Answer
This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0319-01.htm
- Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 12 March 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 12 March 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what its Schools Directorate is doing to prevent knife crimes in schools.
Answer
This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0312-01.htm