Parliamentary questions
Mr David Davidson
1,095 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
17 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-12526 by Nicol Stephen on 20 December 2005, whether the new West of Scotland Regional Transport Partnership “will continue to manage, develop and monitor rail services in its area” and, if so, what specific functions it will have.
Answer · Tavish Scott: I refer the member to thequestion S2W-24394 answered on 29 March 2006, which details the involvement thenew West of Scotland Regional Transport Partnership will have in rail.</p><p>All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament'…
14 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23756 by Tavish Scott on 13 March 2006, whether it expects the Forth Estuary Transport Authority “to prepare and implement a strategy for transportation” and, if so, how the strategy will be funded, in light of the Minister for Transport’s statement …
Answer · Tavish Scott: It is a matter for the FETA Boardto consider how it will take forward its local transport strategy.</p><p>As I said in my statement toParliament on 1 March 2006, the Scottish Executive wants to concentrate on takinga strategic approach to improving all public…
14 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued in respect of the fitting and use of seat belts on all school bus services.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive issuedrevised guidance on school transport issues to local authorities in August 2003.The guidance sets out the statutory requirements relating to the fitting and wearingof seat belts in minibuses, buses and coaches used to transport ch…
14 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with bus operators regarding the provision of disabled access and wheelchair facilities on bus services.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The Executive always makes clearin discussions with transport operators the importance of meeting their obligationsunder the Disability Discrimination Act. The timetable for provision of accessiblebuses and coaches is set under legislation reserved to Westmin…
14 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on whether there are any plans to give control of rail signalling to rail operators.
Answer · Tavish Scott: There are no current plans tochange the responsibility for signalling.</p><p>Transport Scotland willcontinue to look to Network Rail to work in partnership with train operating companiesto get the best performance from the network.</p><p>Transport Scotland pr…
14 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it offered local authorities during the recent snow storms, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Tom McCabe: The Scottish Executive did notoffer any additional support to local government as a result of the recent stormsnor did we receive any requests for assistance.</p><p>The Executive supports localauthorities’ net revenue expenditure on road maintenance and winte…
14 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide financial support for respite care for younger people with learning difficulties.
Answer · Robert Brown: The Executive is investing recordlevels in social care, including respite provision. In particular, local authoritiesreceive £16 million per annum from the Change Fund to help implement the recommendationsin <i>The same as you?</i> review of services for peop…
14 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how accessible respite care should be for young people with learning difficulties.
Answer · Robert Brown: The Executive is investingrecord levels in social care, including the accessibility of respite provision.In particular, local authorities receive £16 million per annum from the ChangeFund to help implement the recommendations in <i>The same as you?</i> review…
14 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet staff and patients of the Church of Scotland’s Keith Lodge care facility in Stonehaven to discuss the proposed closure of the facility on 31 May 2006.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Keith Lodge is anindependent care facility and the proposed closure is for commercial reasons.It would therefore not be appropriate for the Scottish Executive to meet staffand patients. It is for the local commissioners of care to decide on the levelof provis…
14 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support respite care for people with learning difficulties provided by the voluntary sector.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Executive is investing recordlevels in health and social care to improve the full range of community care services,including respite provision. Scottish Executive support for local authority community care funding in 2005-06 is £1,670 million. Audit Scotl…
14 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to reduce rural and peripheral rail services similar to those proposed by the UK Secretary of State for Transport.
Answer · Tavish Scott: No.</p>
13 Mar 2006 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether, in light of the roof beam coming loose in the debating chamber, investigatory works will be carried out on other parts of the Holyrood campus and, if so, which parts.
Answer · George Reid: I shall reply to the Memberas soon as possible.</p>
13 Mar 2006 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body which organisations will be asked to design and replace any changes to the debating chamber roofing beams and holdings if design failures are found in the current structures.
Answer · George Reid: I shall reply to the Memberas soon as possible.</p>
13 Mar 2006 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body which company fitted the fitting bolts for the debating chamber roofing beams and brackets.
Answer · George Reid: I shall reply to the Memberas soon as possible.</p>
13 Mar 2006 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body who supplied the fitting bolts for the debating chamber roofing beams and brackets.
Answer · George Reid: I shall reply to the Memberas soon as possible.</p>
13 Mar 2006 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body who designed the debating chamber roofing beams and brackets.
Answer · George Reid: I shall reply to the Member assoon as possible.</p>
13 Mar 2006 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether any investigation is to be carried out into the design processes connected with the debating chamber roofing structure and, in particular, the beams and their holding brackets.
Answer · George Reid: I shall reply to the Memberas soon as possible.</p>
13 Mar 2006 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body) whether the results of any investigations of the Health and Safety Executive will be published when they are received by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.
Answer · George Reid: I shall reply to the Memberas soon as possible.</p>
13 Mar 2006 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what information it has on whether Lothian and Borders Police will be involved in any investigation which could result in a criminal prosecution as a result of the roof beam coming loose in the debating chamber.
Answer · George Reid: I shall reply to the Memberas soon as possible.</p>
13 Mar 2006 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether (a) it or (b) the Holyrood Progress Group is liable in any way for any failure in inspection processes prior to the roof beam coming loose in the debating chamber.
Answer · George Reid: I shall reply to the Memberas soon as possible.</p>
13 Mar 2006 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what insurance is in place in respect of injury or death to any member of staff, the public and MSPs resulting from any failure in construction and management of construction for the length of use of the Parliament building.
Answer · George Reid: I shall reply to the Memberas soon as possible.</p>
13 Mar 2006 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what inspections of roofing bolts were carried out, and by whom, before the Parliament building was handed over for use.
Answer · George Reid: I shall reply to the Memberas soon as possible.</p>
2 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether responsibility for the funding of the A8000 upgrade will remain with the Forth Estuary Transport Authority or whether such responsibility will transfer to the Executive, in light of the Minister for Transport and Telecommunication’s statement that “Before any toll increase is intr…
Answer · Tavish Scott: Primary responsibility for fundingthis project remains a matter for the Forth Estua<a name="_Toc127782238">ry Transport Authority (FETA).</a>The Executive has agreed tounderwrite FETA’s costs in upgrading the route, up to a maximum £24 million. Aspart of this…
2 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it created the Forth Estuary Transport Authority with the intention of implementing a road user charging scheme on the Forth Road Bridge under the terms of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001.
Answer · Tavish Scott: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-23756 on 13 March2006. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.s…
2 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has at any time recommended to the Forth Estuary Transport Authority that it should develop proposals for a road user charging scheme.
Answer · Tavish Scott: No. However, it was anticipatedthat the Forth Estuary Transport Authority would develop proposals for a road usercharging scheme as part of its approach to managing congestion on the Forth Road Bridge.</p>
2 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has at any time directed the Forth Estuary Transport Authority to develop proposals for a road user charging scheme.
Answer · Tavish Scott: No. However, it was anticipatedthat the Forth Estuary Transport Authority would develop proposals for a road usercharging scheme as part of its approach to managing congestion on the Forth Road Bridge.</p>
2 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why it gave the Forth Estuary Transport Authority the power to implement road user charging schemes under the terms of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 and responsibilities for projects over and above the maintenance of the Forth Road Bridge, such as the A8000 upgrade.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) was created to oversee operation, management and maintenance of the Forth Road Bridge and has a wider scope of responsibility than the former joint board.</p> <p>FETA was given these wider powers, including the pow…
2 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its response will be to any future proposals for road user charging brought forward by the Forth Estuary Transport Authority under the terms of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001, in light of the Minister for Transport and Telecommunication’s statement that “Before any toll increase i…
Answer · Tavish Scott: It would be inappropriate tospeculate on proposals that have not been made.</p><p>Any such proposals would be consideredin light of the statement I made to Parliament on 1 March 2006.</p>
23 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to minimise disruption to Edinburgh Airport during the construction of the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link.
Answer · Tavish Scott: Discussion continues with BAAon construction methodology</p><p>Transport Scotland hasthe operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for more informationif required.</p>
23 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost of the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link will be, broken down by source of funding.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The cost and proposed fundingwill be included in the estimate of expense and funding statement within the EdinburghAirport Rail Link Bill. The bill is currently being reviewed by the parliament andis expected to be introduced in mid-March.</p><p>Transport Sco…