- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 23 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has opposed, or will oppose, or express its opposition to Her Majesty’s Government regarding, any proposal by the European Union to increase the Hilton quotas for importation of beef from Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay from the existing levels.
Answer
Negotiations between Mercosur (the South American trading group) and the EU Commission are currently underway with a view to improving EU/Mercosur trade. The UK is actively involved in these discussions. The Executive has made it clear that increases in Hilton quotas for beef would be a concern.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 22 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with representatives of, and businesses operating in, the bingo industry to discuss any concerns about the impact of the UK Gambling Bill on their businesses.
Answer
The Scottish Executive has had no discussions with representatives of, and businesses operating in, the bingo industry. However, the Bingo Association’s response to the Executive’s Consultation Paper Devolved Powers in the Draft Gambling Bill (Bib. number 33121) has been taken into consideration.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 22 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty’s Government regarding the bingo industry and, in particular, in favour of equal treatment between the bingo industry and other elements of the gambling industry in respect of taxation to ensure that provisions in the UK Gambling Bill should not prejudice the interests of bingo clubs in Scotland, in light of the conclusions of the Gambling Review Report, that bingo is a safe and comfortable environment, particularly for women, and often has a place at the heart of the community.
Answer
Taxation of the gambling industry is a reserved matter, but I can advise that the provisions of the Gambling Bill do not include any proposals for the taxation of the gambling industry.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 22 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the contribution that the bingo industry makes to the economy.
Answer
We are not aware of any assessment of the contribution the bingo industry makes to the economy.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 22 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the findings of EuroRAP 2004 British Results that the A82, A889 and A99 are “high risk”, whether it accepts that further engineering measures aimed at cutting accidents on these roads are required.
Answer
The annual accident analysis of the trunk road network is currently underway and the analysis will identify a prioritised list of sites for accident investigation and remedial action which will be used to develop a programme of work for 2005-06. The A82, A889 and the A99 are included in this exercise.
As part of the 2004-05 programme, village gateway projects have been completed on the A99 at Latheron, Lybster, Thrumster and Wick as well on the A889 at Dalwhinnie.
Accident investigation studies have also been completed for both the A82 between Tyndrum and Inverness and the A889 between Dalwhinnie and Catlodge. The reports are under consideration and any agreed works will be carried out.
In addition, a route action plan has been commissioned which will identify measures to improve road safety and reduce journey times between Tarbet and Fort William.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 22 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take, within its responsibilities, to protect and promote the bingo industry in Scotland.
Answer
Scottish ministers will have power to set regulations governing the conditions which Licensing Boards may attach to all bingo premises licences issued in Scotland. Ministers will also have power to set and vary licence fees for bingo premises.
There are no plans at present to take any specific steps with regard to the protection and promotion of the bingo industry in Scotland.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 22 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will recommend to Strathclyde Passenger Transport that alternative proposals put forward by Mr Simon Wallwork should be added to the Glasgow Airport Rail Link consultation paper.
Answer
The Scottish Executive supports the preferred option upon which Strathclyde Passenger Transport are currently consulting. Mr Wallwork’s proposal has been carefully considered previously.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 22 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact any relaxation of import restrictions to the European Union from the Mercosul countries would have on the Scottish beef sector and what economic appraisal it has carried out to assess such an impact.
Answer
Further trade liberalisation will increase the competitive pressure upon the Scottish beef sector. Economists in interested departments of the UK Government and the devolved administrations, including representatives from Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, are considering the impact of future changes – including those in relation to trading conditions. The results of any further work will be put on the Executive website.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 22 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any incentives being offered by supermarkets to beef processors to supply South American beef and, if so, what steps it is taking to protect the Scottish beef sector.
Answer
We are not aware of incentives being offered. Beef procurement policy is a commercial decision for individual supermarkets.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 22 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends that Scotland should maintain a food supply base and, if so, what steps it will take, either by itself or through Quality Meat Scotland or other bodies, to protect and promote the Scottish beef sector.
Answer
The maintenance of the food supply base in Scotland is a key objective of
A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture. The food processing sector has and will continue to receive support under the Agriculture Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme. Since 2001, this sector has benefited from some £20 million assistance which has triggered investment in excess of £200 million.
The Executive is fully committed to the Scottish beef sector. We will continue to work with organisations such as Quality Meat Scotland to help in the promotion of the red meat sector. Joint activity in securing the Protected Geographical Indication for both beef and lamb has ensured greater flexibility for Scotland in respect of state aid restriction on promotional activity.
