Parliamentary questions

Margaret Smith

931 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

21 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many residents it is estimated will have grounds for seeking compensation from it as a consequence of the impacts of the Forth Replacement Crossing project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: It is not possible to quantify the overall number of people who may be entitled to compensation at this stage of the project. Guidance on the parliamentary process, compulsory purchase process and compensation specific to the Forth Replacement Crossi…

21 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether assessments have been made of the impact of the Forth Replacement Crossing project on the wider economy.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Yes.

21 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether assessments have been made of the impact of the Forth Replacement Crossing project on greenhouse gas emissions.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Yes.

21 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the option of investing the cost of the Forth Replacement Crossing in other projects has been considered.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) must be progressed in order to protect a vital link in the country''s transport network. Investing the resources to be allocated to the FRC in other projects is, therefore, not an option.

21 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Forth Replacement Crossing project has been evaluated against other projects in the Strategic Transport Projects Review in terms of economic impacts.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Yes.

21 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Forth Replacement Crossing project has been evaluated against other projects in the Strategic Transport Projects Review in terms of environmental impacts.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) is a fast-tracked element of the STPR which sets out wider investment priorities over the next 20 years that will be delivered subject to the transport allocation within future spending reviews and affordability. As the ne…

21 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Forth Replacement Crossing project has been evaluated against other projects in the Strategic Transport Projects Review in terms of value for money.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The economic and social consequences of the Forth Road Bridge being closed or restricted before a replacement crossing is in place would be untenable. The Forth Replacement Crossing has, therefore, been established as a priority within the STPR and funding al…

21 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has conducted a full assessment of the opportunity costs of the Forth Replacement Crossing project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Yes.

21 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether a dedicated cycle and pedestrian crossing will be included as part of the Forth Replacement Crossing project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: As part of the managed crossing strategy, pedestrians and cyclists will continue to use the dedicated facilities on the Forth Road Bridge.

21 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures to improve the infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians will be included as part of the Forth Replacement Crossing project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Specific cyclist and pedestrian facilities will be provided throughout the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC). These will include dedicated footpaths and cyclist routes incorporating priority crossing facilities at Ferrytoll Junction and South Queensferry Junct…

21 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funded measures to encourage the use of public transport and high-occupancy vehicles will be included as part of the Forth Replacement Crossing project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) is a fast-tracked element of the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) which sets out wider investment priorities over the next 20 years that will be delivered subject to the transport allocation within future spendin…

17 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers the adjudication or litigation record of a contractor or its parent company to be a material factor in assessing bids for public contracts.

Answer · John Swinney: Companies wishing to tender for Scottish Government contracts are, in general, required to provide evidence of their ability to perform the contract in question, including details of similar contracts undertaken and satisfactory references. A company''s adjud…

17 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance in respect of the adjudication or litigation record of potential contractors or their parent companies is provided by Procurement Scotland to local authorities and other organisations considering bids for public contracts.

Answer · John Swinney: Procurement Scotland does not provide guidance on this matter to local authorities and other organisations considering bids for public contracts. The Scottish Government''s Procurement Directorate has, however, published a standard Pre-Qualification Questionn…

9 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to encourage the use of in-school mental health programmes for children of primary school age where there is none.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The decision on which programmes a school should follow is a decision for the school and local authority in light of local circumstances and priorities. However, Improving the mental health and wellbeing for children and young people is a priority f…

9 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what evaluations it has made of the effectiveness of in-school mental health programmes for children of primary school age.

Answer · Adam Ingram: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27056 on 18 September 2009. 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/Ap…

9 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what evaluations it has made of the effectiveness of mental health programmes for children of primary school age.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The Scottish Government does not routinely evaluate programmes which are used in schools as this is a matter for education authorities and schools themselves. However, the Scottish Government has supported the development of an approach to build emot…

2 Sep 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure a fair deal for members of the public seeking compensation payments for the impacts of the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson : This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0910-01.htm">http://www.scot…

14 Aug 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-25622 by Stewart Stevenson on 6 August 2009, what measures are being used to determine the success of the aviation policy branch

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: A number of successful outcomes have been delivered, including: the maintenance of airport infrastructure in the Highlands and Islands; the maintenance of lifeline air services; the delivery of lower air fares for some of Scotlan…

14 Aug 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-25622 by Stewart Stevenson on 6 August 2009, how many people are employed in the aviation policy branch

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The current complement of the aviation branch is 4.5 full-time equivalents.

14 Aug 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question SW3-25622 by Stewart Stevenson on 6 August 2009, whether it will specify the policies that the aviation policy branch has assisted in implementing in the last year.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Policies which the aviation branch has assisted in implementing include: maintaining airport infrastructure in the Highlands and Islands for essential air services; supporting lifeline air services which cannot be provided commercially;</p…

14 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the environmental statement for the Forth Replacement Crossing project will be published.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The environmental statement (ES) for the Forth Replacement Crossing project will be published to coincide with the introduction of the Bill to Parliament.

14 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation will be undertaken on the code of construction practice for the Forth Replacement Crossing project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-25825 on 11 August 2009. 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…

14 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the code of construction practice for the Forth Replacement Crossing project will be published.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The code of construction practice for the Forth Replacement Crossing project will be published later this year to coincide with the introduction of the Bill to Parliament. Initial consultation on the construction compounds and approach to construction took pl…

14 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings Transport Scotland officials have had specifically with residents from (a) Linn Mill, (b) Clufflats, (c) Clufflats Brae, (d) Inchgarvie House and Lodge, (e) Dundas Home Farm, (f) Echline Estate, (g) Springfield Estate, (h) Society Road, (i) Gateside Estate and (j) other …

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The ongoing Forth Replacement Crossing communications strategy has involved significant and sustained engagement with affected communities, more widely affected or interested stakeholders and their appropriate elected members. Community engagement takes place…

14 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much Transport Scotland has spent on communications and consultation in relation to the Forth Replacement Crossing project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Since December 2007, when I announced to Parliament the decision to proceed with a replacement bridge, approximately £728,000 has been spent on a significant and sustained programme of communications and stakeholder engagement. This includes the public inform…

14 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in what way the changes made to the Forth Replacement Crossing proposals since January 2009 are “a strategy which makes efficient use of existing infrastructure, is more cost effective and reduces the impact on the environment, properties and the local communities”, as stated on page eigh…

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The strategy referred to in page eight of the publication was announced to Parliament in December 2008, following intensive work undertaken throughout that year. Since January 2009, the scheme has been improved by the provision of further public transport inf…

14 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the condition is of the anchorages of the Forth Road Bridge.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the Forth Road Bridge, including the condition of the anchorages, is a matter for the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA).

7 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a statement on the purpose of its aviation unit.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The purpose of our aviation policy branch is to support Scottish ministers in developing and implementing their policies in relation to aviation and in implementing aviation-related spending plans as agreed by the Scottish Parliament.

24 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether decisions on the allocation of the £1.25 billion school building programme will be made by ministers or COSLA.

Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-25045 on 16 July 2009. 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/B…

24 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it decided to act on requests by COSLA and local authorities to provide additional funding to support the school building programme.

Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-25046 on 16 July 2009. 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/B…