Elaine Murray

24 Apr 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which of the key actions listed under Scottish Canals' 2013-2018 objectives in its Draft Heritage Strategy 2013-38 have commenced; when they commenced, and what the timetable is for the remaining key actions.

Answer · Keith Brown: There were over 60 key actions linked to the 20 objectives identified in the draft Heritage Strategy. Scottish Canals have commenced preliminary work on key actions under 12 of the objectives. A revised timetable for the key actions is contained within the pu…

24 Apr 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the 20 specific objectives for the period 2013 to 2018 listed in Scottish Canals' Draft Heritage Strategy 2013-38 have been agreed.

Answer · Keith Brown: Yes. They are all included in the published Heritage Strategy available at: http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/history--heritage.

24 Apr 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Canals' five year plan has been finalised.

Answer · Keith Brown: Yes. This forms part of its published Heritage Strategy available at: http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/history--heritage.

24 Apr 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Canals has published its consultation report and finalised heritage strategy, as indicated in its Draft Heritage Strategy 2013-38 and, if so, where the documents can be accessed.

Answer · Keith Brown: Scottish Canals published its Heritage Strategy and the associated consultation report on 6 May 2013. Both can be accessed at: http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/history--heritage. The proposed publication date of the report and strategy was originally on 31 Ja…

15 Apr 2013 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what progress has been made on changes to the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme.

29 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the maximum size for composite classes in primary schools is determined.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The maximum size for composite classes in primary schools (25) is specified in Appendix 2.9 of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers’ Handbook of Conditions of Service which can be viewed at: http://www.snct.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Appendix_2.9…

18 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the reduction in reimbursement for the concessionary travel scheme will have on bus routes and fares.

Answer · Keith Brown: We expect reimbursement under the concessionary travel scheme to increase from £187 million in 2013-14 to £192 million in 2014-15. The rate per journey at which this budget is paid out to operators (the so-called reimbursement rate) is reducing in line with …

14 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be of the European Commission’s proposals for a fourth railway package on the (a) tendering process for Scotland’s railways and (b) planned retendering of the ScotRail franchise.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is currently considering the potential impact of the European Commission’s proposals within the Fourth Railway Package on the ScotRail refranchising programme, Network Rail's management of the rail infrastructure in Scotland and the re…

14 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the (a) European Commission and (b) the UK Government on proposals for a fourth railway package.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government has made no direct representations to the European Commission on this matter. However, a number of representations have been made to the UK Government across each key theme of the Fourth Railway Package confirming the need to ensure th…

11 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it deals with complaints regarding the operational procedures of British Transport Police in Scotland.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The operation and governance of the British Transport Police is not devolved to the Scottish Government. In the first instance complaints should be directed to the Chief Constable of the British Transport Police. However, should the complainant remain dissat…

8 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed Bus Users Scotland will have a statutory function similar to Passengers' View Scotland.

Answer · Keith Brown: No. The Scottish Government will grant fund Bus Users Scotland to perform functions similar to those previously performed by Passengers’ View Scotland.

8 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether members will be appointed to the proposed Bus Users Scotland under the public appointments procedure and who they will be.

Answer · Keith Brown: Bus Users Scotland is an independent organisation and members will not be appointed under the public appointments procedures.

8 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish the review of Passengers' View Scotland.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Review of the Public Transport Users’ Committee for Scotland (PTUC) Operating under the name Passengers’ View Scotland (PVS) was published on the PVS website on 12 March 2013.

8 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed Bus Users Scotland will be a new body and, if so, what the set-up costs will be; whether it will be part of Bus Users UK, and what funding it will receive.

Answer · Keith Brown: Bus Users Scotland will be a separate Scottish operation within the legal, company framework provided by Bus Users UK. The funding and set-up costs are currently under consideration.

7 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of how the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s adoption of a new watercourse management registration category will affect flood risk in river catchments.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W–13517 on 20 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybu…

7 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency regarding the implications of its adoption of a new watercourse management registration category for the implementation of the EU (a) birds, (b) habitats and (c) environmental impact assessment directive.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W–13517 on 20 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybu…

7 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact it considers that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s adoption of a new watercourse management registration category could have on the implementation of environmental impact assessments, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13517 on 20 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybu…

7 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that land drainage and watercourse management projects that may result in significant environmental effects are subject to the provisions of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13517 on 20 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybu…

7 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s adoption of a new watercourse management registration category (a) could result in significant environmental effects, (b) constitutes a qualifying plan or programme for the purposes of the Environmental Assessment (Sc…

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The recent heavy rainfall has highlighted that drainage of agricultural land presents several challenges in relation to environmental, economic and community interests. I believe that the procedural changes to the authorisation regime SEPA has made are a prop…

5 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering expanding the national concessionary travel scheme to include community transport services.

Answer · Keith Brown: The National Concessionary Travel scheme for older and disabled people already includes community transport services that are registered as local bus services. We amended bus registration legislation last year to allow flexibly routed demand-responsive comm…

5 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering action to expand community transport infrastructure.

Answer · Keith Brown: We have no plans for changing the current arrangements under which the main funding for community transport comes through local authorities’ block funding arrangements. Community transport organisations will be able to bid in partnership with local transport…

5 Mar 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it will give to the recommendations in Age Scotland’s report, Driving Change: The case for investing in community transport.

Answer · Keith Brown: We recognise the valuable role community transport plays in providing transport services, particularly for older and disabled people who are unable to use scheduled bus services. We will carefully consider Age Scotland’s report and its recommendations.

25 Feb 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the £20 million of funding announced on 18 February 2013 for shared equity schemes to assist first-time buyers on low to moderate incomes will be available from 1 April 2013.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: Yes, the £20 million funding allocated to the Scottish Government’s Low Cost Initiative for First Time Buyers shared equity schemes will be available from 1 April 2013.

21 Feb 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what actions the Minister for Transport and Veterans will take in relation to the appointment of members of the board of Passengers’ View Scotland.

Answer · Keith Brown: I have now concluded my consideration of the future of the Public Transport Users’ Committee for Scotland (PTUC) which operates under the name of Passenger Views Scotland (PVS) and the members have been informed of my decision to close the PTUC down with effe…

21 Feb 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the review of Passengers’ View Scotland has taken account of the Bus Passengers’ Platform and its statutory functions.

Answer · Keith Brown: I have now concluded my consideration of the future of the Public Transport Users’ Committee for Scotland (PTUC) which operates under the name of Passenger Views Scotland (PVS) and the members have been informed of my decision to close the PTUC down from 1 Ap…

21 Feb 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the recommendations are of the review of Passengers’ View Scotland.

Answer · Keith Brown: I have now concluded my consideration of the future of the Public Transport Users’ Committee for Scotland (PTUC) which operates under the name of Passenger Views Scotland (PVS) and the members have been informed of my decision to close the PTUC down from 1 Ap…

21 Feb 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the review of Passengers’ View Scotland will be (a) concluded and (b) published.

Answer · Keith Brown: I have now concluded my consideration of the future of the Public Transport Users’ Committee for Scotland (PTUC) which operates under the name of Passenger Views Scotland (PVS) and the members have been informed of my decision to close the PTUC down from 1 Ap…

11 Feb 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will make a statement on the future of the right to buy.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: We are giving active and detailed consideration to the future of right to buy in the light of the consultation responses and the policy options available. We will make an announcement once we have formed a view.

4 Feb 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether organisations that are members of Advice UK will be able to bid for the £1.7 million fund to provide direct support for advice services.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The £1.7 million fund to provide direct support for advice services is part of an overall funding package of £5.4 million announced on 21 January 2013 by the Scottish Government. A range of organisations in Scotland, including those that are members of Advic…

31 Jan 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many court cases of repossession of residential properties there have been since the Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Act 2010 came into force and how many found in favour of the homeowner.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: The Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Act was introduced in September 2010. Details of the number of repossession cases initiated and disposed off in the sheriff courts by procedure are as follows: Procedure 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Initiated …