Parliamentary questions
Nora Radcliffe
316 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
19 Mar 2002 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is supporting the development of the core path network.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Section 17 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 provides for a duty on local authorities, not later than three years following implementation of Part 1 of the act, to draw up a plan for a system of paths sufficient for the purpose of giving the public reaso…
20 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by Careers Scotland in ensuring that there is "good quality, unbiased information and advice about education and career opportunities in science" as detailed in the Science Strategy for Scotland.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: From its establishment on 1 April, Careers Scotland will aim to provide high quality, impartial information and advice for Scots of all ages about education and career opportunities. This will include those available in the science sector.
30 Jan 2002 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on drawing together the national waste strategy.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I am pleased to say that implementation of the National Waste Strategy is progressing well. All 11 draft Area Waste Plans have been published for public consultation. I intend to publish, shortly, a summary report on the work to check that the plans are consi…
11 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to safeguard water quality in rivers, lochs and groundwaters.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive is committed in its Programme of Government to safeguarding and improving Scotland's environment. Scottish waters are a vital component of Scotland's image as a healthy and clean environment. They are, by and large, of good or excellent…
2 Jan 2002 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish the transport delivery plan for Scotland.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: We are reviewing the draft report and plan to publish shortly.
18 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any decision has been made about future appointments to the Board of Scottish Water.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive has conducted a recruitment process for appointments of non-executive members to the Board of Scottish Water, subject to the Parliament's approval of the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill. This process was conducted according to the guidel…
17 Dec 2001 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what work has been undertaken to assess the social and economic implications for Scotland of the introduction of the euro on 1 January 2002.
Answer · Jack McConnell: The Scottish Executive has carried out two annual surveys on <I>Euro Use by Businesses in Scotland</I>. These reports are available on the Executive website.
10 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether residual bottom ash from incineration or energy from waste plants can be classified as recycled material and, if so, what the criteria are for making such a classification.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Residual bottom ash from incineration or energy from waste plants can be processed and used as an aggregate substitute. Bottom ash is a controlled waste and therefore any storage, transportation and treatment of the ash must be carried out in accordance with …
28 Nov 2001 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to encourage local authorities to utilise the provisions of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 to designate Home Zones.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: We have just begun consultation on draft regulations which set down procedures for local authorities to follow when designating roads as Home Zones. I expect these regulations to be brought into force in April next year. We will also issue best practice guida…
22 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether measures to encourage the use of solar heating systems in new buildings will be included in plans it has to revise building regulations.
Answer · Iain Gray: The measures in the latest amendment to the building standards regulations will improve energy efficiency in all new buildings, but do not prescribe how the standards must be met. Solar heating is encouraged through its inclusion in the calculation of energy …
22 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed, or plans to assess, the potential energy savings and contribution to the reduction of climate change gases resulting from an increase in the use of solar technology for domestic heating purposes.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Whilst no such assessment has been carried out, the Executive's commitment to promoting renewable energy embraces a wide spectrum of technologies. We will continue, working within a UK framework for energy research and development, to encourage support for a …
22 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it is taking to support the installation of more solar heating systems in Scotland.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The funding of research and development with respect to renewable energy is a reserved matter; the budget is held by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). But we work hard to ensure that Scottish companies and other bodies with an interest in this field…
9 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the Strategic Review of Charges in the Scottish Water Industry.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Last month, the Water Industry Commissioner for Scotland, Alan Sutherland, submitted advice to me as a result of his Strategic Review of Charges. This advice is set out below.<P>After careful consideration, I have decided to accept the commissioner's advice. …
2 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is planning to introduce in areas where peak-time concessionary fares for bus travel are available to pensioners and/or disabled people in order to ensure that any such fares continue to be available following the introduction of free off-peak bus travel for pensioners an…
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Executive's objective is to ensure that, as a minimum, free local off-peak bus travel (for eligible groups) is introduced for travel wholly within the boundaries of the participating local authorities in any given scheme area, after 09:30 weekdays and all…
2 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on the enhancement of the trunk road network in each year since 1979.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Information is not available on the proportion of the trunk road budget spent on the enhancement of the network. Expenditure on the network as a whole, including new construction, improvements and routine maintenance, for each year is as follows.<TABLE BORDER…
2 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many miles of trunk road were (a) created and (b) substantially upgraded in order to increase capacity in each year since 1979.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The information on the miles of trunk road created, or substantially upgraded, to increase capacity is not available. Public road lengths for trunk roads, on a year by year basis, is contained in Chapter 5 Table 5.1 of the <I>Editions of Scottish Transport St…
2 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many significant upgrades to sections of trunk roads it is currently planning in order to increase capacity.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Trunk roads are improved to bring benefits of greater safety, improved environmental conditions, a better service to road users, including public transport, and social benefits that flow from better transport. Of the 63 schemes in the motorway and trunk road …
2 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many sections of trunk road were (a) opened and (b) significantly upgraded in order to increase capacity in each year since 1979.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The information is set out in the following table:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=94><TR><TD WIDTH="60%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">1979</FONT></TD><TD WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P ALIGN=…
31 Oct 2001 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to assist local authorities with measures to reduce and manage flood risks.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Executive actively encourages local authorities to reduce and manage the flood risk to non-agricultural land.<P>We have issued planning guidance on flood risk and have ensured that councils have the necessary powers and resources to address local flooding…
29 Oct 2001 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Executive proposes to take in light of The Nature of Scotland: A Policy Statement and whether any legislation will be introduced on the basis of the statement.
Answer · Henry McLeish: We have completed an extensive consultation on the proposals contained in <I>The Nature of Scotland: A Policy Statement</I>. Following that consultation, I am convinced that there is clear support for our policies from a wide spread of relevant interests. The…
23 Oct 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it monitors the utilisation by public bodies of vehicles capable of running on liquefied petroleum gas.
Answer · Ross Finnie: No such monitoring is done by the Scottish Executive; this is a matter for the public bodies concerned.
23 Oct 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage public bodies to purchase or lease vehicles which are capable of running on liquefied petroleum gas.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Executive's Scottish Energy Efficiency Office promotes the use of alternative vehicle fuels in the public and private sectors by funding the Powershift cleaner vehicle fuels programme which is run by the Energy Saving Trust. The Executive recognises both …
23 Oct 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed (a) cost savings to date and (b) potential future cost savings relating to the purchase, conversion or leasing of vehicles by departments or agencies for which it is responsible that are fuelled by liquefied petroleum gas.
Answer · Angus MacKay: The business case for the purchase of dual fuelled vehicles includes an assessment of likely costs and savings. It is estimated that a saving between some £190 and £480 will be realised in the lifetime of each vehicle. This takes into account the cost of conv…
23 Oct 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of leased vehicles used by its departments and agencies for which it is responsible are capable of running on liquefied petroleum gas.
Answer · Angus MacKay: The Scottish Executive does not lease any of its vehicles. The Scottish Prison Service Agency currently leases 90 vehicles. None of these vehicles are capable of running on liquefied petroleum gas.
23 Oct 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the proportion of its vehicles capable of running on liquefied petroleum gas.
Answer · Angus MacKay: The Scottish Executive's fleet of dual fuelled vehicles will increase to 69% of the total fleet by March 2002.
23 Oct 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of its vehicles are fuelled by liquefied petroleum gas.
Answer · Angus MacKay: Fifty-one per cent of the Scottish Executive's fleet of vehicles are currently dual fuelled and will run on either liquefied petroleum gas or unleaded petrol.
17 Oct 2001 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the Area Waste Plan for the north east to be finalised.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The North East Area Waste Plan is currently expected to be published for two months public consultation in March 2002 prior to finalisation.
15 Oct 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what changes have been made in the provision of winter snow clearance cover resulting from the appointment of new contractors to manage the maintenance of the trunk road network, broken down by contract area.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The winter maintenance specification, and level of service in the Scottish Executive contracts with the new trunk road Operating Companies, remains unaltered from that provided in the previous contracts.<P>The Executive held a conference at Victoria Quay on 2…
8 Oct 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a progress report on the work of the Ministerial Group on Sustainable Scotland and their future work programme.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Ministerial Group on Sustainable Scotland has been a key mechanism for joined-up-thinking and action on sustainable development in the Scottish Executive. Since taking on the Environment portfolio and becoming Chair of the group in March this year I have …
26 Sep 2001 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it will give in its review of the cities to the development of rural areas surrounding cities.
Answer · Angus MacKay: The formal remit for the review is explicit in the need to look at the prospects for Scotland's five cities "taking account of interactions between the cities, their surrounding areas and the rest of Scotland". This includes rural areas. CoSLA has a seat on t…