Questions · Elaine Smith

26 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has agreed payment to First ScotRail to meet some or all of the costs incurred by the company to train staff to replace First ScotRail conductors taking industrial action.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: No agreement has been made to pay such costs.

26 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it holds records of which First ScotRail passenger services have operated without (a) ticket examiners and (b) conductors since the extension of the ScotRail franchise.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31636 on 11 March 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Busines…

26 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish all Transport Scotland correspondence and minutes for the last three years regarding the introduction of future rolling stock on First ScotRail services.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-32867 on 22 April 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Busines…

26 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm that the railway unions will be consulted on the type of all future rolling stock to be introduced on First ScotRail services.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This is a matter for First ScotRail as employer and as a safety duty holder.

26 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm that all new rolling stock to be introduced on First ScotRail services will be designed to allow for conductor operation in addition to the driver.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Any new rolling stock will meet the passenger requirements and the operational and safety standards required for any route on which it may be deployed.

26 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the type of new rolling stock to be introduced on First ScotRail services over the next 10 years and on what services it is intended to introduce that stock.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: New rolling stock to be introduced for future services developments has still to be determined.

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff First ScotRail needs to employ, excluding drivers, to ensure that all services have an additional member of staff.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: It is First ScotRail''s responsibility to ensure the necessary resources are in place to meet its franchise obligations. First ScotRail advises that as at 17 February 2010, it employs 967 such staff.

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the sanctions that have been applied for breaches of its franchise agreement with First ScotRail.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: A breach is not a defined term in the franchise agreement. Event of Default and Termination Event are defined terms. There have been no Events of Default and no Termination Event since the commencement of the current franchise in 2004.

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what sanctions can be applied in the event of a breach of its franchise agreement with First ScotRail.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31643 on 11 March 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/…

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the operation of driver-only services without a second onboard person constitutes a breach of its franchise agreement with First ScotRail.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Under the franchise agreement all First ScotRail services are required to be planned with two members of staff. I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31643 on 11 March 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on t…

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many onboard train staff, excluding drivers, are employed by First ScotRail.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: It is First ScotRail''s responsibility to ensure the necessary resources are in place to meet its franchise obligations. First ScotRail advises that as at 17 February 2010, it employed 1,070 such staff.

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with First ScotRail regarding reports that a number of First ScotRail services have operated as driver-only services without a second onboard person.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Under the Franchise Agreement all First ScotRail services are required to be planned with two members of staff. Transport Scotland measures this under the Service Quality Incentive Regime (SQUIRE) with results recorded and discussed with ScotRail.</…

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish all information it has received from First ScotRail regarding the operation of driver-only services without a second onboard person.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31639 on 11 March 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/…

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has asked First ScotRail for details of which services have operated as driver-only services without a second onboard person.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31639 on 11 March 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/…

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it holds records on the services operated by First ScotRail as driver-only services without a second onboard person.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31639 on 11 March 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/…

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much it expects to reimburse or ameriolate First ScotRail in the event of industrial action in relation to the current dispute between it and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31631 on 11 March 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/…

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether First ScotRail has provided an estimated figure of the losses it might incur in the event of industrial action in relation to the current dispute between it and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: First ScotRail has provided a range of estimated figures of the losses it might incur in the event of industrial action, however, any actual losses will depend on the extent of industrial action taken.

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it will use in determining whether to reimburse or ameliorate any losses incurred by First ScotRail in the event of industrial action in relation to the current dispute between it and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31627 on 11 March 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/…

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to make a decision on whether to reimburse or ameliorate any losses incurred by First Scotrail in the event of industrial action in relation to the current dispute between it and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31631 on 11 March 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/…

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has decided to reimburse or ameliorate any losses incurred by First ScotRail in the event of industrial action in relation to the current dispute between it and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: No information on any actual losses incurred by First ScotRail as a result of industrial action has been received.

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received representations from First ScotRail regarding reimbursing or ameliorating any losses incurred by First ScotRail in the event of industrial action in relation to the current dispute between it and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Yes. I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31627 on 11 March 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parl…

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will formally seek the views of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) regarding reimbursing or ameliorating any losses incurred by First ScotRail in the event of industrial action in relation to the current dispute between it and the RMT.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31631 on 11 March 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/…

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) regarding reimbursing or ameliorating any losses incurred by First ScotRail in the event of industrial action in relation to the current dispute between it and the RMT.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I met with the RMT on 5 January. This matter was not raised but I can confirm the arrangements put in place during the previous administration and signed by the SRA and by SPT remain unchanged.

9 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with First ScotRail regarding reimbursing or ameliorating any losses incurred by First ScotRail in the event of industrial action in relation to the current dispute between the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers and First ScotRail.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The arrangements put in place during the previous administration and signed by the SRA and by SPT remain unchanged. This has been confirmed to First ScotRail.

24 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether individuals seeking to appeal a decision taken by the Valuation Appeal Committee may do so via a class action, thus minimising the cost incurred by each person.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is not aware of valuation appeals being progressed in the form of a class action, and it would seem only to be rarely that such an approach might be considered given that appeal is on a point of law only. Ministers are currently consid…

24 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the fact that people wishing to contest the fairness of a decision on their council tax banding by the Valuation Appeal Committee must do so via the Court of Session and at a cost.

Answer · John Swinney: An appeal to the Court of Session on the decision of a Valuation Appeal Committee may only be made on a point of law and not on the fairness of that decision. Individuals considering bringing a case to the Court of Session may be eligible for legal aid throug…

24 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the impact on the perception of the independence of the Lanarkshire Valuation Appeal Committee of the fact that the council tax banding appeals process takes place in the assessor’s office at Cadzow Street in Hamilton.

Answer · John Swinney: In its recent report on Valuation Appeal Committees in Scotland, the Scottish Committee of the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council recommends, among other things, that Valuation Appeal Committees use venues which are independent of local authorities.…

24 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review the council tax banding appeals process.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has no plans to review the council tax banding appeals process.

18 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Transport Scotland has a role in determining whether direct London to Glasgow rail services will continue on the east coast main line.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Scottish Ministers have a legal right to provide non-binding advice to DfT in respect of cross border passenger services.

18 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Transport Scotland has made an assessment of potential benefits in addressing social exclusion by retaining direct London to Glasgow rail services on the east coast main line.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: While no social impact assessments have been carried out the economic analysis shows that key passenger flows across the East Coast Main Line would be affected. This reflects the concerns of many people who have written to Scottish Ministers requesting that t…