- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 17 November 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's proposal to increase the cost of sheep dip permits from £180 to £542 is justified and, if not, what action it will take on this matter.
Answer
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has put forward proposals for a charging scheme in relation to authorisations under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005. These proposals are intended to enable the agency to recover its regulatory costs in line with the “polluter pays” principle.
The proposed charging scheme is currently out to public consultation. The Executive will review all responses to the consultation before deciding whether to approve the proposed charges.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 17 November 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) can save money by its approach to raising legal actions and whether SEPA believes that all such actions have been necessary.
Answer
SEPA has a duty to consider the costs and benefits of its activities, including the pursuit of enforcement against any breach of an environmental licence. In considering the appropriate enforcement action to pursue, SEPA takes account of the scale of environmental impact, the attitude and response of the person responsible and the history of the activity or site. This approach to enforcement is in line with the principles of the Cabinet Office’s Enforcement Concordat, published in 1998.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 17 November 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake a study into the impact of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and its operations on the rural economy.
Answer
The Scottish Executive undertook a Policy and Financial Management Review of SEPA, which reported in 2003. That study investigated the impact of SEPA’s operations and specifically sought the views of organisations regulated by SEPA, including those in rural areas.
The Executive has no plans to undertake any further study into the impact of SEPA’s operations on the rural economy.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 17 November 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will invite the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to provide a breakdown of the computation of its costs, if SEPA considers that the need to recover its costs is the reason for its proposal to increase the cost of sheep dip permits from £180 to £542.
Answer
The Executive has already received SEPA’s costings which form the basis of the agency’s proposal to increase application charges for authorisations under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 17 November 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has a policy of seeking an award of its legal expenses in successful legal actions or whether it forfeits or forgoes such expenses.
Answer
This is an operational matter for SEPA. I have asked Dr Campbell Gemmell, Chief Executive of SEPA, to respond to the question direct.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 04 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 16 November 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has discharged its legal responsibilities as owners of Kinloch Castle in Rum; whether SNH has carried out necessary work to the building in order to keep it in good and safe condition; whether it will invite SNH to put forward its proposals for Kinloch Castle, and whether it has any concerns that without substantial work this building may fall into disrepair.
Answer
Kinloch Castle is a category A-listed building in the ownership of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). SNH has taken steps to keep the property wind and watertight and has sought and received professional advice from Historic Scotland on the architectural interest and importance of the building. In addition, SNH has commissioned the Phoenix Trust to provide advice on possible options for future uses of the building.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 October 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 4 November 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it received the work commissioned from Steer Davies Gleave on the application of EU rules in other member states and published in Research and Advice on Risk Management in Relation to the Subsidy of Ferry Services at one time or over a period of time; if it was received at one time, on what date, and if it was received over a period of time, over what period it was received, when the last piece of work was received and on what dates the first and last piece of research were received.
Answer
The advice commissioned fromSteer Davies Gleave was received over a period of time, starting on 14 January 2005, withthe final report received on 31 August 2005.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 October 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 4 November 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the methods of surveying nephrops stocks provide an accurate measurement of stocks; if so, whether it will seek to agree a higher nephrops total allowable catch (TAC) for the west coast and secure such a TAC ahead of the December Agriculture and Fisheries Council, and whether it will continue to involve representatives of the Mallaig and North West Fishermen's Association and the West of Scotland Fish Producers' Organisation in all stages prior to any negotiation being concluded.
Answer
Yes.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 October 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 4 November 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek an increase in the west coast monkfish total allowable catch.
Answer
Yes.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 10 October 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 2 November 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will include in the draft Crofting Reform Bill a provision such as that contained in Schedule l of the current Crofters Scotland Act 1993 which provides that "the Secretary of State may provide the services of such officers and servants as the Commission may require" and what its intentions are in respect of the future of its staff currently seconded to the Crofters Commission.
Answer
No. The changes proposed in the draft Crofting Reform Bill will empower the Crofters Commission to employ its own staff. It is not possible to include a provision such as the one suggested as it would have the effect of fettering the new commission in relation to staffing matters. Ministers have already made a commitment that, should the new commission wish to make arrangements for existing staff to remain on secondment, it would be open to them to do so. I expect that the existing staff will be offered posts in the new organisation on terms and conditions at least as good as those they currently enjoy. Those staff based at the commission who do not accept an appointment with the new body will remain Scottish Executive staff and we will endeavour to find posts for them elsewhere within the Scottish Executive or in other parts of the civil service.
