Parliamentary questions
Alex Neil
3,059 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made representations to the organisers of the London 2012 Olympics to assess the veracity of the statement allegedly made by a “senior figure” in the organisation team for that event in respect of the Scottish Football Association’s decision not to participate in a British …
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive has sought and received assurance that Hampden will be an Olympic venue as originally laid out in the bid document.</p>
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21642 by Patricia Ferguson on 13 January 2006, whether this indicates that it has been given no indication that the decision of the Scottish Football Association not to participate in a British football team will lead to the withdrawal of Hampden Par…
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The decision not to participate in a British football team is a matter for the SFA and the other home country football associations.</p> <p>The Scottish Executive has been informed by LOCOG that there is no change to the football venues outlined in the 2012 C…
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21876 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006, what action it sees as necessary to ensure “that the benefits of London 2012 are spread across the UK”, particularly to Scotland, and to avoid the findings of the PricewaterhouseCoopers report that the U…
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: It is the remit of the Scottish Steering Group for London 2012 to ensure that Scotland contributes effectively to and benefits from London 2012 and that these benefits are spread across the whole of Scotland. The Scottish Executive is working with the Scottis…
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21876 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006, how the Scottish Steering Group for London 2012 relates to the Nations and Regions Group.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Nations and Regions Group is a UK level group which has been established to ensure that the London Olympic Games provide benefits to all nations and regions within the UK. Each nation and region represented on the Nations and Regions Group has been asked …
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive who appointed Julia Bracewell as the Scottish representative on the Nations and Regions Group for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: I appointed Julia Bracewell as the Scottish representative on the Nations and Regions Group for the London 2012 Olympic Games.</p>
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21644 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006, how this indicates whether it has ruled out undertaking an independent and detailed assessment of the costs and benefits to Scotland of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive has not ruled out the possibility of undertaking an independent and detailed assessment of the costs and benefits to Scotland of the London 2012 Olympic Games.</p>
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21643 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006, how the Scottish Steering Group for London 2012 will be equipped to monitor the potential beneficial effects on the Scottish economy of London hosting the Olympic Games in 2012.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Steering Group for London 2012 has members from Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and CBI Scotland. These organisations have significant contact with the Scottish business community and are well placed to ensure that Scottish…
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21643 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006, how this indicates whether it will be making estimates at any stage as to how much additional growth the Scottish economy will accrue as a direct result of London hosting the 2012 Olympic Games.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: As noted in S2W-21643, it is part of the remit of the Scottish Steering Group for London 2012 to consider the potential beneficial effects on the Scottish economy of the 2012 Games. However, that group will not estimate the effects on Scotland’s rate of econo…
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21641 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006, what plans it has to improve the infrastructure and transport and travel links to make Scotland more competitive in bids to host events of international significance.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive is investing £1 billion in transport in Scotland in 2005-06, and this will rise to £1.4 billion by 2007-08. We are confident that this investment will bring significant economic benefits and competitive advantage to Scotland.</p>
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21641 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006, what is meant by the term “world city” and whether any such cities are located in Scotland.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The IOC have published no definition of a world city.</p> <p>The Scottish Executive is aware, however, that a number of our cities have world-class facilities capable of attracting premier cultural and sporting events. EventScotland works in partnership with …
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21640 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006, to which nation the answer refers.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The answer refers to the United Kingdom. The Scottish Executive also believes Scotland will benefit from London 2012 for the reasons given in answers to S2W-21640 on 12 January 2006, S2W-17564 on18 July 2005, and S2W-17561 on 18 July 2005.</p> <p>All answers …
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21640 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006 which refers to the “benefits to a nation from hosting the Olympic Games” as being “well established”, how this relates to the Executive’s responsibility to represent the national interest of Scotland, gi…
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive believes that the London Olympic Games are in the national interest of both the UK and Scotland and will work hard to ensure Scotland’s interests are taken into account in the planning for the 2012 games.</p>
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the membership is of the Scottish Steering Group for London 2012; who selected these individuals, and whether there was an opportunity for all parties interested in being a member to apply.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Steering Group for London 2012 comprises senior-level representatives from key national public sector organisations including Scottish Enterprise, VisitScotland, sportscotland, EventScotland, the Scottish Arts Council, COSLA and BBC Scotland, Vol…
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S2W-21639 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006, how this indicates its considered position as to whether it would be equitable for Her Majesty’s Government to either (a) create a Commonwealth Games lottery or (b) make the newly-created Olympic Games lottery a …
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-22461 on 31 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.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp…
18 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-18526 and S2W-21639 by Patricia Ferguson on 5 September 2005 and 12 January 2006, whether these indicate that it has ruled out making representations to Her Majesty’s Government to either (a) create a Commonwealth Games lottery or (b) make the newl…
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive is still exploring the possibilities of lottery monies being available to help fund the 2014 Commonwealth Games. However, no dedicated National Lottery games were introduced to fund the staging of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in…
17 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the terms of reference are for its review of local economic forums; who is conducting the review; what the cost is; whether consultants are involved, and when will it be completed.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: Local economic forums are not under review but the Executive is committed to ensuring their effectiveness. This does not involve consultants.</p>
17 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a list of the monies it, or any of its agencies, have given Scottish Financial Enterprises in each of the last three financial years and for what purposes these monies were given.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: On the basis of information held on the Scottish Executive accounting system (SEAS), I can confirm that no monies were paid by the Executive or its agencies to Scottish Financial Enterprise during the financial years 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 (to date).</p…
17 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21634 by Cathy Jamieson on 16 January 2006, how the level of staff turnover in the Scottish Prison Service has compared with the UK average in each of the last 10 years.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> <p> </p></td> <td> <p align=center>2000-01</p></td> <t…
17 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21634 by Cathy Jamieson on 16 January 2006, whether any of its departments or agencies outwith the Scottish Prison Service hold information on comparative prison staff turnover in each (a) OECD nation and (b) EU member state.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Scottish Executive departmentsand agencies outwith the Scottish Prison Service do not hold any information oncomparative prison staff turnover.</p>
17 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-20860 and S2W-21634 by Cathy Jamieson on 29 November 2005 and 16 January 2006, why the Scottish Prison Service holds information on staff turnover for prison service staff across the United Kingdom but not in OECD nations or EU member states.
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 Scottish Prison Service holds detailed turnover information only for its own staff. The UK average referred to in my answer to questio…
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S2W-21638 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006, whether the Executive plans 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 Scottish Executive has no plans to undertake such analysis at this time.</p>
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21638 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006 and if, in the event of a successful bid by Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games it does become apparent “that the UK will accrue similar benefits on a smaller scale” to those that the Executive and He…
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive has no plans at present to seek additional financial support from Her Majesty’s Government although its help in areas such as security and visas will be most important. The only financial support that Scotland has committed to the Londo…
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-21304 and S2W-21305 by Tavish Scott on 15 December 2005, whether it will confirm that the number of bidders for the A68 Dalkeith Bypass tender is now reduced to two and that the tenders for the third generation term contracts for management and mai…
Answer · Tavish Scott: We can confirm that there arenow two bidders for the A68 Dalkeith Bypass and that there were two bidders foreach of the recently awarded trunk road maintenance contracts. The answers providedto the earlier questions are still applicable.</p><p>Transport Scotl…
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21768 by Colin Boyd QC on 13 January 2006, whether it would consider any flight which was found to be involved in the process of “extraordinary rendition” as a civil aircraft.
Answer · Colin Boyd: The question whether an aircraft is a civil aircraft will depend on the application of domestic and, so far as relevant, international law to the particular facts. The Chicago Convention of 1944 on International Civil Aviation applies only to civil and not to…
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21768 by Colin Boyd QC on 13 January 2006, what it considers would be a “credible allegation” in respect of the ongoing allegations that US agencies have been using the process of “extraordinary rendition”, unlawfully facilitated through various Scot…
Answer · Colin Boyd: It is unhelpful to speculate as to information which would constitute a credible allegation. This will vary depending upon the circumstances of the alleged offence. The police will carefully consider any information provided to them and will commence an inves…
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a list of the monies it, or any of its agencies, have paid to the (a) Confederation of British Industry, (b) Institute of Directors, (c) Scottish Council (Development and Industry), (d) Federation of Small Businesses, (e) Forum for Private Business and (f) Scottish…
Answer · Nicol Stephen: On the basis of information held on the Scottish Executive Accounting System (SEAS), I can confirm that no monies were paid by the Executive or its agencies to the Institute of Directors, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Forum of Private Business dur…
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it hopes to appoint a Chair, Director and Board of the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. A Chair has now been identified and an announcement will be made shortly. Second stage interviews for the Director are scheduled for early February. In the meantime the SMAS team now operating within Scot…
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21529 by Cathy Jamieson on 22 December 2005, how it assesses whether there is sufficient capacity within the open prison estate if it does not keep historical data in respect of prisoners held in a regular prison who should be held in an open prison.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron,Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is asfollows:</p><p>The likelyfuture number of prisoners we wish to hold in open conditions is one factortaken into account when we periodically assess the futur…
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the Scottish Prison Service not accepting the point of note identified by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in paragraph 7.6 of his May 2004 inspection report into HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont that “some non-accredited classes in the learning centre would bene…
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-22272 on 1 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on…
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21666 by Tavish Scott on 22 December 2005, whether the police have any responsibility for adherence to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation in Scotland.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The provisions of the Chicago Convention are applied by the United Kingdom through the Civil Aviation Act 1982 and the Air Navigation Order 2005. Apparent breaches of the law may be investigated by the police. The convention does not prevent investigation of …