Bruce Crawford

12 Jan 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has sought legal advice on the judicial review sought by Midlothian, West Lothian and Fife council's in respect of City of Edinburgh Council's congestion charging scheme.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: We are aware of the on-goingjudicial review action but the Scottish Executive is not a party to that action.This is a matter for the local authorities and the court.</p>

12 Jan 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what feedback it has received in relation to the operation of NHS 24 over the Christmas and New Year period.

Answer · Andy Kerr: This holiday period was the firstin which NHS 24 had been fully operational and provided the access point for Outof Hours services across Scotland. In the run up to the festive period – and with the fullsupport of the Health Department - NHS 24 and the health…

10 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual running costs of operating the (a) Forth and (b) Tay Road Bridge have been since its opening.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: These are matters for the Forth Estuary Transport Authority and the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board respectively, as they own and operate these bridges.</p>

10 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of outstanding debt on the (a) Forth and (b) Tay Road Bridge is and what the annual cost is of servicing such debt.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: There is no outstanding debt on the Forth Road Bridge, which is owned and operated by the Forth Estuary Transport Authority.</p><p>The Tolled Bridges Review: Phase One Report, published by the Scottish Executive, noted that the loan debt held by the Tay Road …

10 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much financial support it has provided to maintain the (a) Forth and (b) Tay Road Bridge since 1999.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive has not provided any support funding to maintain the Forth Road Bridge since 1999.</p><p>Capital borrowing consents totalling £7.507 million were made available to the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board, which owns and operates the Tay Road Bridge, in …

23 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage a commuter ferry service from Kirkcaldy to Leith.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Forth Estuary Transport Authority, City of Edinburgh Council, Fife Council and Forth Ports Authority are considering the findings of a report on the options for a cross-Forth passenger service. No formal approach has been made to the Executive and it is too e…

23 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what major additional works are planned for the (a) Forth and (b) Tay road bridges outwith the normal maintenance schedule over the next five years and what the estimated costs are of such works.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Plans for works and costs on the Forth and Tay road bridges are matters for the Forth Estuary Transport Authority and the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board respectively, as they own and operate these bridges.</p>

23 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what level of traffic has crossed the (a) Forth and (b) Tay road bridges in each year since they opened and what projections it has made in respect of the growth of traffic levels crossing the bridges in future.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Information on traffic flows and traffic growth on the bridges is shown at section 4 of the <i>Tolled Bridges Review: Phase One Report</i>, published by the Scottish Executive, a copy of which is available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 348…

23 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what factors it will consider when reviewing the future of tolls on the Forth and Tay road bridges.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive made a commitment in our transport white paper, <i>Scotland’s</i> <i>Transport Future</i>, to carry out a two-phase review of the tolled bridges in Scotland, including the Forth and Tay road bridges. Phase one of the review is nowcomplete and th…

23 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what advice its solicitors provided to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and/or Scottish Water in respect of the burning of waste-derived fuel at Longannet Power Station.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-13201, answered on 12 January 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: </p><p><a href="http://www.scottish.p…

23 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it will hold with (a) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and (b) Scottish Water in respect of the burning of waste-derived fuel at Longannet Power Station.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Although my officials may have discussions in due course with the two bodies about the implications of the legal judgement, the Executive does not intend to hold any specific discussions with either the Scottish Environment Protection Agency or Scottish Water…

23 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or guidance it provided to (a) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and (b) Scottish Water in respect of the burning of waste-derived fuel at Longannet Power Station.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive did not provide any specific advice or guidance to either the Scottish Environment Protection Agency or Scottish Water in relation to the burning of waste derived fuel at Longannet Power Station.</p>

23 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many renewables certificates it has issued to Scottish Power to burn waste-derived fuel at Longannet Power Station in each of the last five years.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Renewables Obligation Certificates are issued by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) and not by the Scottish Executive. This information is available via Ofgem’s website at <a href="http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ofgem/work/index.jsp?section=/areasofwo…

19 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to enable the Parliament to consider the outcome of its further consultation on the future of fire control rooms.

Answer · Hugh Henry: When the further work has been completed and discussions held on the outcome with stakeholders, we will report on the position to Parliament. We will decide on the most appropriate method of making such a report in due course.</p>

19 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when its further consultation on the future of fire control rooms is expected to begin and conclude.

Answer · Hugh Henry: Work has already begun, but I cannot give a definitive timescale for its completion at this stage. We will take as long as necessary to ensure that we have examined all the issues raised in the responses to the consultation.</p>

19 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what form its further consultation on the future of fire control rooms will take.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The issues raised in the responses on the report ranged from the loss of local knowledge through to challenges to the levels of costs and savings estimated. We acknowledge the relevance of these concerns and further work is taking place to examine the issues …

12 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authority works will be subject to the same controls as utility works under the Transport (Scotland) Bill.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The current proposals in the Bill only involve utility company road works. Roads authorities are already under a statutory duty under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to manage and maintain roads. They have a further duty under the Local Government in Scotland A…

12 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the contribution that broadband technology makes in respect of reducing congestion by empowering flexible and home-working initiatives, what consideration it has given to differentiating between minor street works typically carried out by telecommunication companies and major…

Answer · Nicol Stephen: No distinction has been made in the Transport (Scotland) Bill between different types of road works.</p><p>The introduction of broadband technology is a priority for the Executive and we are supporting its roll out to all communities in Scotland by the end of…

12 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact on the roll-out of broadband of proposed changes to the legislative framework regulating street works in the Transport (Scotland) Bill.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The legislative framework regulating road works in the Transport (Scotland) Bill concentrates on improving the co-ordination and reinstatement of road works carried out by all utility companies operating in Scotland. There will be no impact on utility compani…

12 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will carry out a review of the level of rateable values in respect of telecommunications cables similar to that carried out in England and Wales and, if so, when such a review will be undertaken.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The Scottish Executive has no current plans to do so.</p>

12 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-3782 by Mr Andy Kerr on 14 November 2003, whether it has now made an assessment in respect of the effect of differences in rateable values between Scotland and England on its initiatives to extend the availability of broadband.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The valuation assessor has advised that there is no difference in the approach in arriving at the rateable value of fixed line rental networks between Scotland and England. No valuation will therefore exceed the valuation of an equivalent network in England. …

12 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of its commitment to a strategy for pervasive and affordable broadband coverage, what levels of rateable value are ascribed to telecommunications cables in the primary control of network operators other than BT and what comparative information it has on the values ascribed to eq…

Answer · Tom McCabe: The following is a summary of the current total rateable values for the major operators other than BT:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <tr> <td> <p>Cable & Wireless (Mercury)</p> </td> <td> <p>£3.15 million</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <…

9 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that there is no further reduction in rural bus services.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The provision of local bus servicesis generally a matter for individual bus operators who use their commercial judgementas to the level and frequency of services to be provided. Beyond these commercialdecisions, it is the responsibility of the relevant local …

9 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will liaise with Fife Drug and Alcohol Action Team regarding the stability and sustainability of funding for drug rehabilitation services in its area.

Answer · Hugh Henry: Current funding levels for drug treatment and rehabilitation services will not be reduced. Indeed the minister for Justice announced on 27 October that an additional £6 million per annum will be provided to support drug treatment and rehabilitation services f…

9 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will liaise with NHS Forth Valley regarding the stability and sustainability of funding for drug rehabilitation services in its area.

Answer · Hugh Henry: Current funding levels for drug treatment and rehabilitation services will not be reduced. Indeed the minister for Justice announced on 27 October that an additional £6 million per annum will be provided to support drug treatment and rehabilitation services f…

9 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will evaluate the impact on the business of the drug court in Kirkcaldy of increased waiting times for drug addicts seeking access to rehabilitation services.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The drug court team is aware of pressure on the services and is in discussion with Fife Primary Care Trust to ensure that court business continues to be discharged efficiently.</p>

9 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that the new GP contract does not impact on services for drug addicts seeking access to drug rehabilitation services.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The new General Medical Services (GMS) contract is underpinned by a patient service guarantee which ensures that patients will continue to receive the services they need, although they may not be delivered in the same way. The Executive continues to monitor t…

9 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it intends to introduce to improve the waiting times for those wishing to access drug rehabilitation services in the Kirkcaldy area.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The Scottish Executive provide drugs specific resources to NHS boards and local authorities for the provision of drug treatment and care services. In Fife for 2004-05 the NHS board received £829,244 for drug treatment services and the local authority £464,000…

9 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will carry out an appraisal of the impact of the condition of local roads on the economy.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive has no plans to carry out such an appraisal. However, we fully appreciate the importance of local roads and their contribution to Scotland’s economic performance. This is reflected in our decision to allocate an additional £60 million p…

9 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will re-examine the way in which GAE for local roads is calculated to ensure that it is carried out on the basis of needs.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The local government grant distribution methodology has been agreed following extensive and collective consultation over a number of years with local authorities, through COSLA and takes account of a wide range of complex factors influencing local authority s…