Angus MacKay

13 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the implementation of a conditional right of appeal for objectors against decisions on planning applications.

Answer · Margaret Curran: We have no current plans to introduce such a right of appeal.

13 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support the re-opening of the Edinburgh south suburban railway as a passenger rail route.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive has offered financial assistance to City of Edinburgh Council for further modelling work into passenger demand for heavy rail and light rail options on the Edinburgh South Suburban Railway route. This forms part of a wider funding packa…

13 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the future development of housing investment in Edinburgh.

Answer · Margaret Curran: The resources available for future housing investment in Edinburgh, and elsewhere in Scotland, will be determined by the spending review currently under way within the Executive.

23 May 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what projects will benefit from the second round of the Modernising Government Fund.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The second round of the Modernising Government Fund has up to £30 million at its disposal, an increase on the first-round fund and double the amount that was originally announced. It is committed to promoting a citizen-focused approach to modernising the deli…

27 Mar 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance is to be made available to City of Edinburgh Council for expenditure incurred following the subsidence in the Ferniehill area of the city in early 2001.

Answer · Andy Kerr: I am pleased to announce that City of Edinburgh Council is eligible for a payment of £646,841 under the Bellwin Scheme. The scheme was activated on 1 August 2001 following representation from the council on costs directly associated with the immediate afterma…

28 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many independent assessors oversee the public appointments system and how much they are paid.

Answer · Andy Kerr: I am pleased to announce that following an open competition towards the end of last year 12 new Independent Assessors have been appointed for a period of three years commencing 1 January 2002. This increases the total number of current assessors from 14 to 26…

21 Jan 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change the current system of escorting prisoners.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The police, Scottish Courts Services, and the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) will proceed with contracting-out the escorting of prisoners. The range of such escorting will be from police cells and prisons to court, the management of prisoners within court buil…

15 Jan 2002 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer when it will implement free nursing and free personal care for older people.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Further detailed consideration has been undertaken on practical issues arising from the new policy, including the issue of attendance allowance and the detailed work required of local authorities. We are now able to move ahead.<P>The Chair of the steering gro…

14 Jan 2002 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether the plans outlined this week by the Strategic Rail Authority are adequate to deal with any problems facing rail passengers in Scotland.

Answer · Jack McConnell: The SRA's Strategic Plan begins to address the decades of under investment in rail. The plan is an ambitious, but achievable first step that will offer major benefits to passengers in Scotland.

18 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the outcome of the recent consultation on the report of the working group on a replacement for poinding and warrant sale, Striking the Balance: A New Approach to Debt Management, and how it intends to proceed.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have today placed a summary analysis of the results of the consultation process on the Scottish Executive website. Copies have also been sent to the Parliament's Reference Centre. <P>The consultation revealed very widespread support for the approach recomme…