Alex Neil

9 Apr 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-23379 by Mr Andy Kerr on 22 March 2002, when it will publish the analysis being carried out into migration and demographic change in Scotland and how these will impact on the Scottish economy.

Answer · Andy Kerr: This work is at an early stage and no decisions have yet been taken on dissemination arrangements for any resulting analysis.

3 Apr 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its current policy is on charging business rates on the location of cash machines.

Answer · Peter Peacock: Automated telling machine (cash machine) sites are liable for business rates in the same way that all non-domestic lands and heritages, which have not been specifically exempt from rates, are liable. Responsibility for setting rateable values for these sites …

26 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) employ more than 20 people and how many people each of these NDPBs employ.

Answer · Andy Kerr: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-24484.

26 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which non-departmental public bodies with more than 20 employees have their main offices in (a) Glasgow, (b) Edinburgh, (c) Aberdeen, (d) Dundee and (e) Inverness.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The information requested can be found in the annual publication <I>Public Bodies</I>. A copy of the 2001 version can be found at <A HREF="http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/quango">www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/quango</A>.

26 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what specific duties have been carried out by each ministerial parliamentary aide since each was appointed.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: Ministerial parliamentary aides have been carrying out a range of duties to assist Cabinet Ministers in the discharge of their parliamentary duties.

19 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-23623 by Lewis Macdonald on 7 March 2002, whether the economic impact assessment will differentiate between Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I understand that Customs and Excise are considering a wide range of issues as part of their consultation on the costs, benefits and practicalities of introducing tax stamps for spirits, including their geographical impact.

13 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what powers have been transferred from the Scottish Parliament to Her Majesty's Government including any transfers which may have taken place through (a) primary legislation, (b) secondary legislation and (c) Sewel motions.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The powers of the Scottish Parliament are set out in the Scotland Act. Two orders have been made under section 30(2) of the Scotland Act which have contained provisions narrowing the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament in very minor respects. Th…

13 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications are to the contract between it and Premier Prison Services in respect of HM Prison Kilmarnock of the purchase by Group 4 of shares in Premier Security Group's parent company Wackenhut Corporation.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:<P>SPS is currently in discussion with Kilmarnock Prison Services Limited to assess the implications, if any, of the proposed purchase by Gr…

13 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Justice was informed of the purchase by Group 4 of a half-share in Premier Security Group's parent company Wackenhut Corporation.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:<P>In accordance with the requirements of the contract between the Scottish Prison Service and Kilmarnock Prison Services Limited, KPSL advi…

13 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether a copy of the letter it issued to each Parliament committee convener and each party leader asking for nominations for the posts of Independent Assessors will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Answer · Andy Kerr: A copy of the letter sent to all those organisations consulted was included in the answer given to question S1W-22756 on 19 February 2002. Letters inviting nominations from the political parties represented in the Parliament were not addressed to party leader…

13 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been (a) allocated and (b) spent on literacy and numeracy initiatives since 1999.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: £18.5 million is being allocated to local authorities for expenditure on adult literacy and numeracy initiatives over the three-year period 2001-04, including £2.7 million for 2001-02. Local authority expenditure for 2001-02 is not yet available.<P>In additio…

13 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the money for initiatives on literacy and numeracy has been allocated, to whom the money was allocated and what the outcomes of the expenditure of these allocations has been since 1999.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: £18.5 million is being allocated over the three-year period 2001-04 to the local authorities. The following table sets out the allocations for 2001-02 and planned allocations for the two subsequent financial years.<P>Each local authority has submitted an acti…

13 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much profit has been made from the operation of HM Prison Kilmarnock in each year since the prison was opened.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>This is a matter for Kilmarnock Prison Services Limited.

13 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has carried out an investigation into any recent incidents of prisoner violence at HM Prison Kilmarnock.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>All incidents relating to assaults are reported to the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) Controller in Kilmarnock. They are also reported to SPS HQ…

6 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement it has had in the development of sector skills councils in Scotland.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: Sector Skills Councils will be developed by employers as UK-wide organisations, with support from a new UK-wide Sector Skills Development Agency. They will be licensed jointly by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and the Lifelong Learning Minist…

6 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the legal status will be of national training organisations as of 1 April 2002.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: National Training Organisations (NTOs) will be de-recognised by government on 31 March 2002. They will be replaced by a smaller, stronger network of UK-wide Sector Skills Councils. Most NTOs will continue to function as legal entities beyond 31 March, with tr…

6 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of sub-contracts issued by each water authority have been awarded to Scottish companies, broken down by value of contract, in each of the last three years.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The water authorities subcontract a wide variety of services from construction to IT support to estate management. The detailed information requested is not held centrally. It is estimated, however, that in relation to the authorities' capital programmes only…

6 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the policy of each water authority is on sub-contracting.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Each of the three water authorities have adopted slightly different policies but central to each is the continued use of those contractors who have a proven track record of cost effective delivery for them. Each authority operates a reduced-size list of contr…

6 Mar 2002 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the development of the Scottish Agricultural College at Auchincruive in Ayr.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Development of the Scottish Agricultural College's campus at Auchincruive is a matter primarily for the college.<P>The college is currently developing its proposals for the future of the organisation as a whole. No decisions have been taken and its final plan…

5 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimates are of any skill shortages in the construction, oil and gas and electronics industries.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The relevant employer-led National Training Organisations (NTOs) provide estimates of skill shortages in the construction, oil and gas, and electronics industries. The provision of labour market information is a key function of NTOs, a role that will be taken…

5 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what targets and timescales have been set for the delivery of the New Deal: Next Phase initiative in each new deal programme in Scotland.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government, which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations.<P>The key developments in Scotland, under <I>…

5 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the budget is for the New Deal: Next Phase initiative in respect of each new deal programme in Scotland.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government, which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland, it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing organisations. <P>The Green Paper, <I>Towards Full Employme…

5 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what rules and procedures were followed for the interview, selection and appointment of the Chief Executive of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Answer · Colin Boyd: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-23749.

5 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications there were for the post of Chief Executive of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Answer · Colin Boyd: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-23749.

5 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive where, when and for how long the post of Chief Executive of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service was advertised.

Answer · Colin Boyd: The post was filled by assignment of a senior civil servant, already experienced in operating at this level, because of the need to strengthen the top management of Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and to do so without delay.

28 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government regarding its proposals to introduce strip stamps for spirits.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues including the formal consultation on the costs, benefits and practicalities of introducing a tax system for spirits.

28 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any economic impact assessment of Her Majesty's Government's proposals to introduce strip stamps for spirits.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The proposal to introduce strip stamps for spirits is a reserved matter. I understand that Customs and Excise will carry out an economic impact assessment after evaluating the responses to their consultation.

28 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-21774 by Malcolm Chisholm on 25 January 2002, what progress is being made with the establishment of the NHS Technology Transfer Office.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: We are making good progress in our discussions with both NHS trusts and Scottish Enterprise and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement in the near future.

28 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-21774 by Malcolm Chisholm on 25 January 2002, whether the Scottish University for Industry has considered creating a Technology Transfer Office.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Scottish University for Industry (SUfI) is a broker and facilitator of learning between individuals, learning providers and companies and has no direct role in delivering learning itself. SUfI is not a primary holder of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).…

28 Feb 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-21931 by Malcolm Chisholm on 30 January 2002, whether it plans to give Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and its Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department representation on the Pharmaceutical Liaison Group.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive has no plans to extend representation on the Pharmaceutical Liaison Group to include the organisations mentioned in the question.