Question reference: S1W-00031
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 June 1999
- Current Status: Answered by Wendy Alexander on 15 June 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a higher grant for those recipients of the "Warm Deal" in Scotland programme who are unemployed.
Answer
There are no such plans. To introduce a higher grant for those who are unemployed would reduce the amount available for pensioners and other vulnerable householders who are not in the labour market.
Question reference: S1W-00029
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 June 1999
- Current Status: Answered by Wendy Alexander on 15 June 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the maximum grant of #500 payable under the "Warm Deal in Scotland" programme.
Answer
With effect from 1 July, the maximum grant will be increased from £315 to £500. We have no present plans for any further increase. In contrast to the previous more limited scheme, the new Warm Deal will provide a more extensive package of works, comprising cavity wall insulation or loft and tank insulation, together with hot tank and pipe insulation, draughtproofing, 4 energy efficient lightbulbs and energy advice.
Question reference: S1W-00017
- Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 June 1999
- Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 15 June 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends after 1 July to request a meeting with Scotland's water authorities to convey the concerns of Scotland's fish processing industry over the implementation of measures including new charges in connection with the European Urban Waste Directive (91/271/EEC).
Answer
I intend to meet all three water authorities as soon as possible to discuss a number of matters of mutual interest. I am aware of the particular issues facing the fish processing industry as a consequence of the need to comply with the statutory requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. These will form part of my discussions with the water authorities.
Question reference: S1W-00016
- Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 June 1999
- Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 15 June 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to provide the Parliament with an estimate of the likely additional costs to Scotland's fish processing industry of measures proposed to implement the European Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) as soon as possible after 1 July.
Answer
I understand that the water authorities have been consulting industrial dischargers, including the fish processing industry, about the effects of implementing the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. Much of the fish processing industry is in the area covered by the North of Scotland Water Authority, which has provided individual firms with estimates of the charge increases they will face over the next three years, if they take no action to reduce the amount and strength of the effluent they produce. I understand that the fish processing industry, with assistance from the North of Scotland Water Authority, local authorities, Grampian Enterprise Company and the Seafish Industry Authority, has commissioned consultants to report by August on ways to reduce these charges.
Question reference: S1W-00018
- Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 June 1999
- Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 15 June 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends after 1 July to request Scotland's water authorities to refrain from signing any contracts in connection with relevant measures relating to the implementation of the European Urban Waste Water Directive (91/271/EEC) until a full review has been undertaken of the impact on Scotland's fish processing industry and its findings considered.
Answer
To introduce a delay in signing these contracts would almost certainly lead to the water authorities failing to meet the statutory requirements imposed by the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. Clearly the water authorities must continue to plan to comply with their statutory obligations. Failure to do so would leave the UK open to infraction proceedings by the European Commission; any subsequent fines would fall to be met by the Scottish Executive.
This issue is particularly relevant to the North of Scotland Water Authority. I am aware that the Authority is working in partnership with the fish processing industry to find ways to minimise the cost implications arising from compliance with the Directive.
Question reference: S1W-00032
- Asked by: Maureen Macmillan, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 June 1999
- Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 15 June 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will arrange a meeting with the Fish Merchants Association (FMA) to discuss the treatment of effluent from the Scottish fish processing industry.
Answer
My Ministerial colleague with responsibility for rural affairs and I would welcome a meeting with representatives of the Scottish fish merchants to discuss the treatment of effluent from the Scottish fish processing industry, if they wish.
Question reference: S1W-00024
- Asked by: David McLetchie, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 June 1999
- Current Status: Answered by David Steel on 15 June 1999
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what is the current estimate for the total cost of the new Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood and how this compares to the original estimate.
Answer
The current estimate for the total cost of establishing and equipping the Parliament's accommodation at Holyrood is £109 million, which can be compared with an original estimate of £90 million.
Question reference: S1W-00026
- Asked by: Ben Wallace, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 June 1999
- Current Status: Answered by Susan Deacon on 15 June 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it intends to take to safeguard the long-term future of Stracathro Hospital and to indicate its intended strategy for the retention of rural hospitals across Scotland.
Answer
Tayside Health Board is currently conducting a review of acute services in Tayside which is due to be completed later this year. The services provided at Stracathro hospital are part of that review. The intention is to establish an equitable network of acute services which meets the needs of people across Tayside. The involvement of clinicians and the public is part of the review process. In addition, proposed changes to the configuration of services as a result of the review will be subject to formal public consultation before decisions are taken.The Scottish Executive expects Health Boards to apply the principles of the national Acute Services Review report when planning services for people in rural areas by balancing local access with the provision and maintenance of viable services of appropriate quality.
Question reference: S1W-00015
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: Thursday, 27 May 1999
- Current Status: Answered by Donald Dewar on 11 June 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations, if any, it has made to Her Majesty's Government in respect of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill currently under consideration in the Westminster Parliament.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with United Kingdom Government Ministers and Departments, including the Department for Social Security, on a wide range of issues.
Question reference: S1W-00014
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: Thursday, 27 May 1999
- Current Status: Answered by Jack McConnell on 11 June 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings of the EU Council of Ministers will Scottish Ministers be attending over the next six months.
Answer
Scottish Ministers may attend EU Council meetings, where appropriate, as part of the UK delegation.
