Alex Neil

10 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20247 by Cathy Jamieson on 9 November 2005, whether the dispute on the identification of certain fingerprints between the Aberdeen Fingerprint Bureau and the Scottish Criminal Records Office has been resolved; if not, who has responsibility for decid…

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The disagreement concerns identificationof a fingerprint in a criminal case which has been concluded.</p><p>The answer to question S2W-23158on 17 February 2006 set out the detailed programme of work that has beenput in place since the HM Chief Inspector of Co…

10 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20247 by Cathy Jamieson on 9 November 2005, whether the reports by John McLeod in respect of his investigations into the Shirley McKie fingerprint case will now be made public and, if so, when they will be published; if not, what the reasons are for …

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: It is not my intention tomake the MacLeod reports public. They were commissioned by the Executive aspart of its defence of the civil action brought by Shirley McKie. Publicationof the MacLeod reports would undermine the basic principle of Scots law thatneithe…

1 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-21863 and S2W-21858 by Cathy Jamieson on 20 January 2006, why the answers are identical, given that they were answered respectively by the Minister for Justice and by the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service on the minister’s behalf.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>The answer to S2W-21858 contained a typographical error in line three where “him” should have read “me”.</p>

27 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-21860 and S2W-21861 by Cathy Jamieson on 20 January 2006 and without making specific reference to the terms of the contract between the Scottish Prison Service and Kilmarnock Prison Services Ltd, what distinction it makes between “failure to meet a…

Answer · Tom McCabe: The distinction betweena failure to meet particular contractual commitments and breaches of contract generallyis one that relates to the remedies that may be available against a contractor,and is determined by the terms of individual contracts. For example, t…

27 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or any of its agencies have signed any contracts with other individuals, agencies or organisations in which failure to meet a particular contractual commitment is not defined as a breach of contract.

Answer · Tom McCabe: As information on particular contractual commitments relating to every contract signed by the Executive and its agencies is not held centrally by the Executive, the answer to the question could only be provided at disproportionate cost.</p>

27 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21858 by Cathy Jamieson on 20 January 2006 and whilst question S2W-20863 did relate directly to the contract between the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and Kilmarnock Prison Services Ltd, why questions S2W-21260 and S2W-21858, which did not, were answ…

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>Question S2W-21858 asked why the Chief Executive of the Prison Service had replied to S2W-21260. It was appropriate therefore for me to re…

27 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21629 by Cathy Jamieson on 20 January 2006, how it can state that placing prisoners in open prisons saves taxpayers more money than if they were placed in a regular prison, as it did in the answer to question S2W-21073 by Cathy Jamieson on 5 December…

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-21629. The lower security requirements in an open prison mean that staffing levels are fo…

27 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22355 by Patricia Ferguson on 24 January 2006, why it has no plans at this time to undertake an analysis of whether the United Kingdom as a whole is likely to accrue benefits from Glasgow hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games is in its initial stages. A decision on analysis of the impact on the United kingdom as a whole will be made at a later stage.</p>

27 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22354 by Patricia Ferguson on 24 January 2006, whether, in its assessment of the financial support that Scotland has committed to the London Olympics, it has included an assessment of the lost lottery monies to Scottish recipients that could result a…

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The UK Government is hopeful that introduction of Olympic lottery games will continue to raise lottery ticket sales, and projections for existing good causes remain close to predicted levels until 2009 (the end of the current lottery license period). The lott…

27 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much TNS Media Intelligence was paid to analyse media coverage of the 2005 G8 summit at Gleneagles.

Answer · Tom McCabe: TNS Media Intelligence were paid £10,845.25 by SQW Economic Consultants to analyse media coverage of the 2005 G8 summit at Gleneagles. The Scottish Executive subsequently contracted TNS directly for this analysis to be extended to some additional countries an…

27 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it commissioned TNS Media Intelligence to analyse media coverage of the 2005 G8 summit at Gleneagles and, if not, who engaged TNS for this purpose.

Answer · Tom McCabe: TNS Media Intelligence were engaged by SQW Economic Consultants to analyse media coverage of the 2005 G8 summit at Gleneagles. The Scottish Executive subsequently contracted TNS Media Intelligence directly for this analysis to be extended to some additional c…

27 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21829 by Mr Tom McCabe on 24 January 2006, whether the £70,866 cost of engaging the services of SQW Economic Consultants to investigate the economic impact of hosting the 2005 G8 summit at Gleneagles includes the cost of employing TNS Media Intellige…

Answer · Tom McCabe: The £70,866 figure given in the answer to question S2W-21829 includes the cost of employing TNS Media Intelligence to analyse media coverage.</p>

27 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22333 by Cathy Jamieson on 25 January 2006, whether the Executive has reached a position on the opinions expressed by Lord Steyn.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive does not intend to take a position on the opinions expressed by Lord Steyn. Ministers have consistently made clear that if anyone has credible and reliable information regarding alleged criminal activity, it should be passed to the poli…

27 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21753 by Cathy Jamieson on 24 January 2006, in what way the answer indicates the Executive's opinion of the claims made by Senator Dick Marty.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The answer to S2W-21753 set out the Scottish Executive’s position in relation to Senator Dick Marty’s report. It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Executive to give an opinion on claims made by Senator Marty. The UK government will respond to the repo…

27 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22351 by Colin Boyd QC on 24 January 2006, who would find it unhelpful to speculate as to information which would constitute a credible allegation in respect of the ongoing allegations that US agencies have been using the process of “extraordinary re…

Answer · Colin Boyd: I would reiterate that speculation, meaning as it does, reasoning based on inconclusive evidence, conjecture or supposition, is not helpful. As has been stated previously in my answer to S2W-22351, no specific, credible or reliable information has, to date, b…

27 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22335 by Cathy Jamieson on 23 January 2006, whether it considers it appropriate to now engage in discussions with the US Government in respect of the allegations that US agencies used Scottish airports as refuelling points for aircraft engaged in act…

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive has nothing to add to its answer to question S2W-22335 of 23 January 2006. 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.scott…

27 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22552 by Cathy Jamieson on 26 January 2006, what the reason is for its position not to comment on the status or handling of leaked documents.

Answer · Margaret Curran: The Scottish Executive has an active publication scheme for documents and a commitment to inform Parliament and the Scottish people about relevant issues, in accordance with legislation and convention. The UK Government has its own procedures for the release …

27 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21863 by Cathy Jamieson on 20 January 2006, why this answer, which was given directly by the Minister for Justice, is in the same terms as the answer to question S2W-21858, which was answered on 20 January 2006 by the Chief Executive of the Scottish …

24 Jan 2006 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what progress is being made in respect of the introduction of ushers to the services offered to visitors to the Parliament.

Answer · Duncan McNeil: A review of support provided to events in the Scottish Parliament is currently underway. This will report to SPCB before April. It will include consideration of how ushers are provided for visitors.</p>

20 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21582 by Cathy Jamieson on 22 December 2005, whether, during discussions with Her Majesty’s Government on the issue of US agencies using Scottish airports for refuelling for flights in which it is alleged that suspected terrorists are being carried t…

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive does not comment on the status or handling of leaked documents.</p>

20 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the dossier detailing evidence of rendition flights from the United States landing at various Scottish airports that was sent to the First Minister by Angus Robertson MP, as reported in The Herald on 18 January 2006.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive has received the document sent to the First Minister and a reply will be issued.</p>

20 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21641 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006, whether this indicates that it shares the view of the International Olympics Committee that being a world city is a prerequisite to hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games and, if so, whether it conside…

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The consideration of whether Atlanta was a “world city” was a matter for the International Olympic Committee.</p> <p>The Scottish Executive is aware that our major cities have world-class facilities capable of attracting premier cultural and sporting events. …

20 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21641 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006 and if this answer indicates that it accepts the opinion of the International Olympics Committee that London’s infrastructure and transport and travel links are such that it is the only city in the United…

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: Following the unsuccessful Olympic Games and Paralympic Games bids from Manchester and Birmingham, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave clear guidance to the British Olympic Association (BOA) that London would stand the best chance of winning a futu…

20 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21641 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006, whether this answer indicates that it accepts the opinion of the International Olympics Committee that London’s infrastructure and transport and travel links are such that it is the only city in the Unit…

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive is aware that our major cities have world-class facilities capable of attracting premier cultural and sporting events. EventScotland works in partnership with a number of organisations to attract such events and this work is building on…

19 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been killed in accidents in the construction industry in each of the last five years and in how many of these accidents the ensuing safety investigation has led to criminal proceedings.

Answer · Colin Boyd: The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service does not hold the information requested. Information about the number of people killed in accidents in the construction industry can, however, be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive (<a href="http://www…

19 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with local authorities in respect of reducing the amount of material going to landfill.

Answer · Ross Finnie: There have been extensive discussions with local authorities on this issue and waste management generally is frequently discussed at my regular meetings with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. We have provided authorities with significant resources…

19 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the proceeds of landfill tax are distributed within Scotland.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Landfill Tax is a reservedmatter.</p><p>At the last Spending Review,the Scottish Executive received consequentials arising from increases in theLandfill Tax. We agreed to use these resources to support initiativesbenefiting business and local authorities and …

19 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many times it has been contacted with information regarding the existence of rendition flights by US agencies landing at Scottish airports to refuel, either en route to their destination or returning from it, and by whom this information has been provided.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive has received a number of communications expressing concern that flights using Scottish airports may have involved unlawful activity. Ministers have consistently made it clear to these correspondents that if anyone has any credible and r…

19 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-21290 and S2W-21851 by Tavish Scott on 15 December 2005 and 18 January 2006, whether these answers indicate that the only rationale for bypassing Muirhead, Chryston and Moodiesburn with the upgraded A80 is for the practical purpose that the route a…

Answer · Tavish Scott: A road to motorway standards can only be provided with a bypass of Muirhead, Chryston and Moodiesburn. The appropriate standards could not be achieved by an online upgrade without significant demolition of property, and major disruption to traffic and public …

19 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21668 by Cathy Jamieson on 18 January 2006, whether this answer indicates that it would view any plane carrying suspected terrorists to countries where the practice of torture is used for the purposes of investigation as a civil aircraft.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The allegations which have been made relate to civil aircraft. Therefore, the Scottish Executive referred to the Chicago Convention on Civil Aviation in its reply of 18 January to question S2W-21668.</p>