Parliamentary questions

Ms Wendy Alexander

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

31 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs in Scotland were saved by the banking bailout.

Answer · John Swinney: The international financial crisis acted as the catalyst for the sharpest drop in output in developed economies in over half a century and the first drop in world output since the Second World War. In response, governments across the globe undertook a series …

25 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is seeking to support effective competition in the banking sector in Scotland, particularly given its importance to the wider economy, as suggested by the Council of Economic Advisers.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government continues to engage regularly with the UK Government at both official and ministerial level and I hope to meet with the new European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services during his next visit to Brussels.

25 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is seeking to develop its capacity to make informed judgements on issues of financial regulation, as recommended by the Council of Economic Advisers.

Answer · John Swinney: Scottish Government ministers and officials engage fully with representatives of all of the sectors which make up the financial services industry in Scotland, particularly though discussions at meetings of the Financial Services Advisory Board, and with appro…

25 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to how it can influence the reorganisation of UK banks, as recommended by the Council of Economic Advisers.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government continues to engage with the UK Government and the European Commissioner for Internal Markets and Services in relation to issues concerning the reorganisation of UK banks. I recently wrote to the new European Commissioner Michel Barnie…

12 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on devolving financial services regulation to the Scottish Parliament and a Scottish financial services authority.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government believes that only full independence will offer the Scottish Government the widest set of fiscal and economic policy levers which would allow us to properly determine the best approach to the development and regulation of financial ser…

12 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27502 by Stewart Stevenson on 25 September 2009, how much money it has allocated to the Fastlink initiative.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson : Scottish Ministers have previously indicated they are willing to contribute to an initial phase for Fastlink/Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) which will provide improved connections between the City Centre, the SECC and the new Southern General Hospital. Strathclyde P…

4 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether its plans for enhanced reporting of government spending include providing a planned capital expenditure schedule for each major capital project supported by the Scottish Government and, if so, with what regularity it will be updated.

Answer · John Swinney: Under its plans to provide greater information on government expenditure the Scottish Government has committed to publish online all items of expenditure above £25,000. This scheme will commence with the publication of our expenditure for April 2010 and will …

4 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which of the recommendations in Audit Scotland’s Review of major capital projects in Scotland in June 2008 regarding reporting publicly on the progress of major capital projects (a) have been implemented and (b) remain outstanding.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is taking forward a programme of measures to develop the management of major capital projects, in response to recommendations by Audit Scotland and the Public Audit Committee. The Permanent Secretary provided an update on progress to t…

4 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason it has not yet answered question S3W-27290, which was due for answer on 29 September 2009.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27290 on 26 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/…

4 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual financial subsidy is to the Renfrew Ferry.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The issue of financial subsidy for the Renfrew Ferry is a matter for Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. The Scottish Government provides revenue grant funding of £1.22 million per annum to support Strathclyde Partnership for Transport''s core ope…

4 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been approached with any requests to assist in maintaining the Renfrew Ferry.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31492 on 25 February 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.parlia…

4 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been approached by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport for financial support to assist in maintaining the Renfrew Ferry.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: No. The Assistant Chief Executive of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport wrote to officials on 19 January raising the subject of SPT revenue grant funding levels generally, but did not seek direct support for the Renfrew to Yoker Ferry. The Scottish Governm…

4 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the Edinburgh tram project did not appear in the written evidence provided to the Public Audit Committee by the Permanent Secretary of the Scottish Executive in January 2010 regarding progress on major capital projects.

Answer · John Swinney: In his submissions to the Public Audit Committee of 30 June 2009 and 21 December 2009 on major capital projects the Permanent Secretary stated that the information provided did not include projects which are the responsibility of local authorities. The Edinbu…

4 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the planned profile is of capital expenditure for the building of the new Southern General Hospital.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The profile of capital expenditure as at December 2009, as provided by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is as follows: <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td nowrap valign=bottom > Year </td> <td valign=top …

4 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the planned payments to the building contractor for the new Southern General Hospital provided by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde comply with best practice.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31487 on 25 February 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/App…

4 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason it has agreed to a contract permitting 99% of the cost of the new Southern General Hospital to be paid in advance of the completion of the site.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has not entered into a contract permitting 99% of costs paid in advance.

4 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde being able to pay the contractor for the Southern General Hospital project 99% of the build costs before the new sites are completed.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has not entered into such a contract. There will be a monthly payment cycle with payments due based on value of work completed during the month. Assessment and payment period is monthly resulting in the contractor being …

22 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason its document, Supporting Business and Enterprise - Taking forward our National Conversation, contains no discussion of what currency is envisaged under the independence option.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: The currency options which would be available to Scotland under independence are discussed in the National Conversation paper Fiscal Autonomy in Scotland: The case for change and option for reform and in the National Conversation White Paper Your …

3 Dec 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive, if further capital is accelerated in the pre Budget report, whether it will consider reinstating the Glasgow Airport Rail Link as requested by Scotland’s six principal business organisations.

Answer · John Swinney: With Parliament''s support we accelerated some £350 million of capital spending from 2010-11 into 2008-09 and 2009-10. That money has delivered real benefits, but it means, of course, that the budget for 2010-11 had to be reduced accordingly. Similarly if we …

2 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on class actions to demand compensation for excessive bank charges.

Answer · Jim Mather: While we s<a name=IndexHeading></a>upport, in principle, measures to allow class actions, we do have some concerns about plans to hurriedly implement these measures. The Financial Services Bill which has been introduced to the UK Parliament makes pro…

2 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the full disclosure of bankers’ remuneration packages and bonuses for all those earning over £200,000 per annum, as is the case for directors.

Answer · Jim Mather: We are clear that remuneration policies within our financial institutions should be consistent with effective governance and that transparency is an effective tool to assist major shareholders to reach informed judgements on governance issues.

9 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the response to the second supplementary to question S3F-1978 by Alex Salmond on 5 November 2009 (Official Report c. 20929), what its preferred solution for HBOS was, given the First Minister’s confirmation in his response that he was opposed to the HBOS/Lloyds TSB merger.

Answer · John Swinney: Our preference throughout the takeover process had been that a continuing standalone Bank of Scotland would have best served the interests of Scotland''s businesses, bank depositors and customers. We remain, however, fully committed to helping Lloyds…

9 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what concerns the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth has expressed in writing to the (a) European Commissioner for Competition Policy and (b) UK Government on the break-up of the Scottish banks, as reported in the The Scotsman on 4 November 2009.

Answer · John Swinney: Copies of my letters to the European Commissioner for Competition and the Chancellor of the Exchequer are available in the Scottish Parliament''s Information Centre (Bib. numbers 49807 and 49808).

9 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the principle of the proposed divestment of parts of the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group and what the reasons are for its position in this matter.

Answer · John Swinney: We understand that the European Commission recognises that State intervention has been necessary to secure the future of aided banks. We accept the principle that the state aid rules are in place to minimise distortions of competition and ensure a level playi…

9 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in relation to any proposed divestments in British banking in light of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth’s comment in a press release on 3 November 2009, “I welcome moves to increase competition in our banking sector”.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is clear that the principle of increased competition and choice for business and individual consumers is a welcome development. We are also clear that it is vital that all efforts are made to build upon the skills and expertise which c…

9 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason it did not make representations to the European Commission (EC) prior to 3 November 2009 to ask that the Scottish Government be fully involved in how the EC’s plans for UK banks in receipt of state aid are progressed.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28787 on 26 November 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/App…

9 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the level of stock of core tier-one capital being required of the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group by the Financial Services Authority.

Answer · John Swinney: This is a matter for the regulators.

9 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in relation to UK Government plans for the Royal Bank of Scotland to be able to use its recent losses to reduce tax bills.

Answer · John Swinney: We are clear that taxpayers must receive a fair return for the significant investments that have been made.

9 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27654 by John Swinney on 14 October 2009, whether it made representations after 22 September 2009 to the (a) European Commission or (b) UK Government regarding the EC probe into competition in British banking services; whether these submissions are i…

Answer · John Swinney: The European Commission has not opened a formal investigation into Royal Bank of Scotland or Lloyds Banking Group, but instead was involved in commercially sensitive discussions concerning the banks'' plans for restructuring as required by the European Commis…

9 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what “appropriate intervention”, as referred to by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth in The Herald on 1 November 2009, it considers that it took with regard to (a) the Royal Bank of Scotland and (b) Lloyds TSB between September 2008 and 1 November 2009.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has established the Finance Sector Jobs Taskforce to co-ordinate efforts across Scotland to ensure maximum levels of employment are retained within the financial services industry - focusing on understanding the needs of the industry a…