- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 06 August 1999
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 18 August 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of the introduction of fixed payments under the Criminal Legal Aid (Fixed Payments) (Scotland) Regulations 1999, it considers that there is any purpose in the retention of time recording in cases which are subject to the fixed payment rules.
Answer
The obligation to undertake personal time recording is set out in the Code of Practice issued by the Scottish Legal Aid Board which solicitors undertaking criminal legal assistance agree to adhere to. The Scottish Legal Aid Board has recently undertaken a consultation exercise on amendments to the code that may be appropriate in the light of the introduction of fixed payments. These proposed amendments include a reduction in the extent of such time recording. I expect a revised Code to be submitted to Scottish Ministers shortly for approval once the Board has taken account of comments received.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 06 August 1999
-
Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 17 August 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will lift the ban on scallop fishing in areas presently affected by the ban which have shown consistently low levels of Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning.
Answer
The ban on scallop fishing will be lifted when toxin levels are consistently below the legal limit and scientific and medical advice indicate that it is safe to do so.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 06 August 1999
-
Current Status:
Answered by John Home Robertson on 17 August 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will grant, for all scallop vessels, a four week extension to the seasonal closure which is due to operate from 23 August 1999 until 1 November 1999, and whether it will ensure that any necessary procedures to obtain such an extension are carried out before 23 August 1999.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is considering a request to extend the exception to the seasonal inshore closure on mobile gear fishing between Lochmaddy south to Barra Head which applies from March until October. The exception applies to scallop dredging between 1 May and 24 August. The request comes in light of the current ban on scallop fishing off the West Coast due to the detection of high levels of Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP). It is however unclear whether the ASP ban will be lifted before 24 August. Particular consideration will also require to be given to those fishing in the area after 24 August using other types of fishing gear.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 06 August 1999
-
Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 17 August 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive when testing for the level of Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning was first instituted and how frequently such tests have subsequently been carried out.
Answer
Testing for Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning was first carried out in 1997 as part of a trial and has been included in the algal toxin monitoring programme since 1998. ASP testing is carried out weekly from April to October and monthly thereafter.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 August 1999
-
Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 13 August 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it intends to give to the funding of area tourist boards, and whether it intends to increase the funding available for the present financial year and subsequent financial years and, if so, to specify the amount of the proposed increase.
Answer
Area Tourist Boards are local partnership organisations supported by the Scottish Tourist Board. They are core funded by the STB, by local authorities and by their own income. It is for the Scottish Tourist Board to determine the level of grant it provides to ATBs. In the current financial year, this totals around £3.5 million. I am seeking views as to whether any change should be made in the way ATBs are funded.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 August 1999
-
Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 13 August 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Tourist Board has conducted research into whether there are any countries where there is in their national curricula inclusion of Scotland or Scottish history, whether it markets Scotland as a tourist destination in such countries, and if so, in which countries and what amount is spent.
Answer
I will ask the Chairman of the Scottish Tourist Board to write to you and I will arrange for a copy of his reply to be placed in the Parliament's Library.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 August 1999
-
Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 13 August 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding the impact which the Department of Social Security's decision to pay benefits by automated credit transfer from 2003 will have on the viability of many sub Post Offices in Scotland, particularly in rural areas.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government across a range of issues, including those relating to the Post Office.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 August 1999
-
Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 13 August 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Tourist Board will make use of the coverage of the Parliament, and in particular the opening ceremony, as a means of promoting Scotland.
Answer
This is an operational matter for the Scottish Tourist Board. I will ask the Chairman to write to you and I will arrange for a copy of his reply to be placed in the Parliament's Library.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 June 1999
-
Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 13 August 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make representations to Her Majesty's Government with regard to the rate of excise duty applicable to spirits.
Answer
The Scottish Executive recognises the importance of the spirits industry in Scotland and will do all that it can to further the interests of this industry. The Scottish Executive will make appropriate representations at the relevant time to the UK Government on issues that impact on the industry.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 June 1999
-
Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 13 August 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it intends to take to assist the Scotch whisky industry.
Answer
Recognising the importance of this industry to Scotland, I shall soon be meeting representatives from the Scotch Whisky industry to hear at first hand about their prospects and concerns. I shall be glad to give whatever assistance I can.
