Parliamentary questions
Alex Neil
3,059 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Aug 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a set of approved programmes offering training facilities to contribute to business growth for which small businesses might apply to the business learning accounts programme.
Answer · Allan Wilson: There was no set of approvedprogrammes offering training facilities for Business Learning Accounts (BLAs). BLAsoffered support to small businesses for any training linked to business growth– this included both formal training courses and informal learning suc…
21 Aug 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring the success of the business learning accounts programme.
Answer · Allan Wilson: An independent evaluation ofBusiness Learning Accounts was undertaken by Cambridge Policy Consultants. Thefinal report is due to be published shortly.</p>
21 Aug 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the total expenditure has been on the business learning accounts programme.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Total expenditure by the enterprisenetworks on business learning accounts is £1,143,000 to date.</p>
21 Aug 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses have applied to receive funding through the business learning accounts programme and how many applications were successful.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Businesses did not “apply” fora business learning account (BLA), instead they were identified by Business advisorsas meeting the criteria for BLAs and were invited to undertake a Training NeedsAnalysis (TNA) to identify their training needs before committing …
16 Aug 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many calls learndirect scotland has taken in each of the last two years and how many it has the capacity to accept.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The following tables give thenumbers of forecast and actual calls to the learndirect scotland andlearndirect scotland for business helplines in the last two years.</p><p>Calls to Learndirect Scotland</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <…
16 Aug 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all the PFI/PPP projects which it has approved in each year since May 1999.
Answer · Tom McCabe: Information on approved ScottishPFI/PPP projects is available from the Scottish ExecutiveFinancial Partnerships Unit’s website atthe following link <ahref="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/12255">www.scotland.gov.uk/ppp</a>.</p>
16 Aug 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to receive the report from the committee set up to review local government finance.
16 Aug 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it hopes to announce the outcome of the review of the future structure of Careers Scotland.
9 Aug 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress the ministerial progress group on the second stage transfer of Glasgow’s housing stock has made and whether it will be reaching conclusions and making recommendations on how any funding shortfall for the second stage transfer will be resolved.
Answer · Johann Lamont: The Ministerial Progress Group on second stage transfers (SST) brings together thekey partners to consider the financial and other issues which need to be addressedto deliver SST successfully, a process to which Scottish ministers are firmlycommitted. While t…
1 Aug 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26417 by Ross Finnie on 8 June 2006, what sources of funding available for the promotion of local environmental regeneration projects have been identified thus far in the Executive’s review of the range of funding for such projects.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: This information is availableat: </p><p><ahref="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Housing/regeneration-/EnvironmentFundsProjects">http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Housing/regeneration-/EnvironmentFundsProjects</a>.</p>
1 Aug 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-27123 by Rhona Brankin on 20 July 2006, whether the £1 million made available under the Environmental Justice Fund will be carried over to the next financial year if the Executive’s review of the range of funding available for the promotion of local …
Answer · Ross Finnie: Under current spending plans,the budget for the Fund rises from £1 million in 2006-07 in 2006-07 to £2 millionin 2007-08. The allocation of any end-year underspends available to carry forwardinto 2007-08, in this or any other area of spending will be determin…
26 Jul 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it calculates conviction rates for specific offences.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive does notpublish conviction rates as such. However we do regularly publish statistics onthe number of court proceedings where a charge was proved in any one year as a percentageof the number of offences of that category proceeded against…
6 Jul 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit, cost and timetable is for the study currently being conducted on its behalf by IFF Consultants in conjunction with Scottish Enterprise.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The study that is currently beingconducted by IFF Consultants in conjunction with Scottish Enterprise is the FutureskillsScotland led Scottish Employer Skill Survey (SESS) 2006 of 8,500 employers thatgather evidence about the:</p><p>Importance of skill-relate…
29 Jun 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26857 by Tavish Scott on 29 June 2006 and given that no final decision has yet been taken on the proposed online upgrade of the A80, whether it considers it appropriate for the Minister for Transport to have commented, as reported in the Sunday Times…
Answer · Tavish Scott: The context of the interviewwas the principle of priority lanes across the network. On the new M80 between Steppsand Haggs integral demand management measures will be introduced if and when required.This was discussed at the Public Local Inquiry in October 20…
28 Jun 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has contacted the European Commission to determine whether, in the Commission’s opinion, US agencies have used Scottish airports to facilitate extraordinary rendition flights, in light of reports in The Herald on 28 June 2006 that Franco Frattini, Justice and Home Affairs Commi…
Answer · Hugh Henry: No. The inquiries into the allegationsaround extraordinary rendition flights have been conducted by the Council of Europeand the European Parliament, not the European Commission. In any case,the investigation of crime, including the collection of evidence, is…
27 Jun 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26677 by Ross Finnie on 20 June 2006, how the Environmental Justice Fund will be spent.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to thequestion S2W-27119 answered on 20 July 2006. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website the search facility forwhich can be at: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search">…
27 Jun 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26677 by Ross Finnie on 20 June 2006, how organisations or individuals will be able to apply for funding under the Environmental Justice Fund.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to thequestion S2W-27119 answered on 20 July 2006. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website the search facility forwhich can be at: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search">…
27 Jun 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26677 by Ross Finnie on 20 June 2006, which bodies or individuals will be eligible for funding under the Environmental Justice Fund.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to thequestion S2W-27119 answered on 20 July 2006. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website the search facility forwhich can be at: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search">…
27 Jun 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26678 by Ross Finnie on 20 June 2006, whether the £1 million available in the Environmental Justice Fund applies to the current calendar or fiscal year.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The provision is for thefinancial year to end March 2007.</p>
27 Jun 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26677 by Ross Finnie on 20 June 2006, how it will solicit applications to the Environmental Justice Fund.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to thequestion S2W-27119 answered on 20 July 2006. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website the search facility forwhich can be at: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search">…
27 Jun 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26677 by Ross Finnie on 20 June 2006, who will manage the Environmental Justice Fund on the Executive’s behalf.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to thequestion S2W-27119 answered on 20 July 2006. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website the search facility forwhich can be at: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search">…
27 Jun 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26677 by Ross Finnie on 20 June 2006, what criteria it will set for applications to the Environmental Justice Fund.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to thequestion S2W-27119 answered on 20 July 2006. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website the search facility forwhich can be at: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search">…
27 Jun 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26677 by Ross Finnie on 20 June 2006, when it will publish the details, eligibility criteria and application procedures in respect of the Environmental Justice Fund.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The aims and conditions of the Environmental Justice Fund will be settled after Ministers haveconsidered the findings of our review on the range of funding available forlocal environmental regeneration projects.</p>
21 Jun 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions there have been for rape in each of the last 20 years.
Answer · Hugh Henry: The available information isgiven in the following table.</p><p>Persons ProceededAgainst for Rape<sup>1</sup>, in Scottish Courts, 1985-86 to 2004-05</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 width=128> <thead> <tr> <td width=64 nowrap valign=bottom> …
20 Jun 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26669 by Mr Tom McCabe on 19 June 2006, whether it has established from A&S Promotions what fee was charged by Bill Clinton for delivering the lecture at the Thistle Hotel in Glasgow on 10 May 2006.
Answer · Tom McCabe: The main organisers of the PresidentClinton speech in Glasgow were A&S Promotions and, as such, all discussionswith representatives for President Clinton relating to the event, including thefee, were taken forward by them. The Scottish Executive was not i…
20 Jun 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26562 by Cathy Jamieson on 19 June 2006, whether it will confirm that the police co-operated in any investigations undertaken by others regarding extraordinary rendition flights.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Association of ChiefPolice Officers in Scotland has confirmed that no Scottish police force has beenapproached to co-operate with any other organisation in a formal investigationinto these allegations.</p>
20 Jun 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26463 by Cathy Jamieson on 19 June 2006, whether it considers that individuals who have been informed of a crime by another individual have any responsibility to report that information to the police.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have nothing to add to the answer given to question S2W-26463 answered on 19 June 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at: <a href="http://www.scottish.parli…
20 Jun 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26463 by Cathy Jamieson on 19 June 2006, whether it considers that it has any responsibility to report information to the police relating to any allegations regarding the facilitation of extraordinary rendition flights through Scottish airports.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Executive has the sameresponsibility as any other citizen or organisation to report to the policeinformation that may relate to criminal activity.</p><p>As outlined in the answer toS2W-26463, answered on 19 June 2006, it is the responsibility of those mak…
20 Jun 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26462 by Cathy Jamieson on 19 June 2006, how any allegations regarding the facilitation of extraordinary rendition flights through Scottish airports can be substantiated without an inquiry.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: As outlined in the question S2W-26462,answered on 19 June 2006, it is not for me to say whether allegations can besubstantiated. If any individual has information which would assist the lawenforcement agencies, they should pass it onto the police.</p><p>All a…
20 Jun 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26462 by Cathy Jamieson on 19 June 2006, whether this answer indicates that, if it is not a matter for it to say whether allegations can be substantiated then, wherever it has referred to there being no credible or reliable information regarding the …
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have nothing to add to myanswer to question S2W-26462 answered on 19 June 2006.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’swebsite, the search facility for which can be found at: <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/…