Questions · Elaine Murray

8 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many PPP/PFI projects since 3 May 2007 have (a) been submitted to the Scottish Government for approval, and (b) received approval.

Answer · John Swinney: The standard form of PFI developed across the UK has not been used in Scotland for any projects which have commenced from 3 May 2007 onwards. We said before the elections that PPP could continue as one of several delivery options open to public sector bodies.…

6 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what projects benefited in 2007-08 from the seizure of assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 monies have part funded the Bank of Scotland Midnight League, which took place over the winter months in 2007-08 with the finals held across the country during May. Most of the activities that we have announced under CashBack for Co…

28 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it is making available to Dumfries and Galloway Council in each year of the spending review for the payment of kinship carers and on what basis this funding was calculated.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The full local government settlement for Dumfries and Galloway is £1,010.4 million. This breaks down over this and the next two years as follows: <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td width=71 valign=top > 2008-09 </td>…

25 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in procuring broadband access for the village of Ewes near Langholm.

Answer · Jim Mather: We have made great progress with our project which aims to bring affordable broadband to all eligible Scottish businesses and households who notified us of an access problem. We have received state aid approval for our open procurement, which has now entered …

7 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether kinship carers who have been awarded a residency order by a court in respect of children for whom they care are ineligible for kinship care payments.

Answer · Adam Ingram: From 1999-2007, no payments were available to kinship carers where the child was referred to as looked after or subject to a residency order. As part of the concordat, a kinship carer of a looked-after child and approved by the local authority will be eligibl…

25 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3O-2733 by Nicola Sturgeon on 20 March 2008 (Official Report c. 7208), when it expects the recommendations of the NHS Scotland resource allocation committee to be fully implemented.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: To avoid turbulence, the changes in funding levels flowing from the NRAC recommendations will be phased in over a number of years. Implementation will start in 2009-10.

25 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3O-2733 by Nicola Sturgeon on 20 March 2008 (Official Report c. 7208), how it will phase in the recommendations of the NHS Scotland resource allocation committee.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: To avoid turbulence, no board will receive less funding than it does at present and changes flowing from the NRAC recommendations will be phased in over a number of years. All boards will receive a standard increase in funds each year with those boards curren…

12 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which regeneration projects have been assessed as being of national importance and will remain the responsibility of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise after 1 April 2008.

Answer · Jim Mather: The transfer of responsibility for local regeneration projects to local authorities is under discussion with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. Once this process is concluded, appropriate details will be made public.

12 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which regional regeneration projects will become the responsibility of the Scottish Enterprise regional networks after 1 April 2008.

Answer · Jim Mather: These matters are under discussion with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

12 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which local regeneration projects will transfer from being the responsibility of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to that of local authorities, broken down by local authority.

Answer · Jim Mather: These matters are under discussion with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

12 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what definitions have been agreed with COSLA, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise regarding what constitutes (a) local, (b) regional and (c) national economic regeneration projects.

Answer · Jim Mather: These matters are under discussion with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

12 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) revenue and (b) capital funding will be transferred to each local authority in each of the next three financial years from Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to support their new responsibilities for local economic regeneration.

Answer · Jim Mather: Details of the transfer of responsibility for the delivery of local economic regeneration including the associated funding resources, are still under discussion with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. I expect this process to be concluded very shor…

12 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding will be made available to each local authority in each of the next three financial years to support the responsibilities transferred from Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to support Business Gateway.

Answer · Jim Mather: Details of the transfer of responsibility for delivery of the Business Gateway, including the associated funding resources, are still under discussion with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. I expect this process to be concluded very shortly and in…

12 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8170 by Jim Mather on 17 January 2008, whether the exact nature of the responsibilities to be transferred from Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to local authorities as a consequence of its review of the structures and function…

Answer · Jim Mather: The details of the transfer of these functions are still under discussion with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. I expect this process to be concluded very shortly and intend that the details should be announced thereafter.

12 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4458 by Fiona Hyslop on 1 October 2007, when it expects its proposed replacement science strategy to be published.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: on </a>1 October 2007, when it expects its proposed replacement science strategy to be published. (<a name=PQRef>S3W-10886</a>)<a name=MinisterName></a> </div> Fiona Hyslop As indicated in the response to…

12 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4458 by Fiona Hyslop on 1 October 2007, whether it can now provide details of the scope, timing and related stakeholder engagement for its proposed replacement science strategy.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: on </a>1 October 2007, whether it can now provide details of the scope, timing and related stakeholder engagement for its proposed replacement science strategy. (<a name=PQRef>S3W-10885</a>)<a name=MinisterName></a> </div> <br clea…