Parliamentary questions
Mr David Davidson
1,095 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
15 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the statement made by the UK Government in its response to the European Commission's Green Paper on Services of General Interest of May 2003, that the proposed model of splitting Caledonian MacBrayne into an infrastructure-owning company and an operating company cr…
Answer · Tavish Scott: The UK Government’s response reflected the Scottish Executive’s position at that time in relation to the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services. Given the constraints that European law imposes, this does not detract from the Executive view that the best way to ten…
15 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the implications for the tendering of Caledonian MacBrayne ferry routes of the European Commission's Decision of 15 July 2005 on state aid were discussed by the Minister for Transport and Commissioner Barrot at their meeting on 18 July.
Answer · Tavish Scott: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-18448 on 28 September 2005. 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/we…
15 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was aware of the European Commission's Decision of 15 July 2005 on state aid prior to the Minister for Transport's meeting with Commissioner Barrot on 18 July.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The Executive was advised of the decision on the day of its publication. However, the decision has no relevance for the tendering of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services and the Executive was aware of this from its involvement in the lengthy consultation lea…
15 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications for the tendering of Northern Isles ferry routes will be of the European Commission's Decision of 15 July 2005 on state aid.
Answer · Tavish Scott: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-18445 on 5 September 2005. 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/web…
15 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the European Commission's Decision of 15 July 2005 on state aid means that there is no obligation on ministers to put out to tender island ferry routes that carry less than 300,000 passengers per year.
Answer · Tavish Scott: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-18445 on 5 September 2005. 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/web…
15 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the European Commission's Decision of 15 July 2005 on state aid means that some or all of the ferry routes operated by Caledonian MacBrayne will be exempt from tendering.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The European Commission “Decision on the application of Article 86(2) of the Treaty to State aid in the form of public sector compensation granted to certain undertakings entrusted with the operation of services of general economic interest”,<i> </i>announced…
2 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much was raised in revenue from (a) each route of the ScotRail network and (b) ScotRail as a whole, in each year since 1990.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive does not hold this information for years prior to the let of the current ScotRail franchise. The information the Executive has in respect of fares revenue by line of route for the current ScotRail franchise is commercially confidential.…
2 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much subsidy ScotRail received (a) in total and (b) for each individual route, in each year since 1990.
Answer · Tavish Scott: To ask the Scottish Executive how much subsidy ScotRail received (a) in total and (b) for each individual route, in each year since 1990.</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <tr> <td> Year</p> </td> <td> <p align=center>1997-98</p> </td> <…
2 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which routes on the ScotRail network are profitable.
Answer · Tavish Scott: Under the Franchise Agreement, the costs associated with the operation of rail services are transparent and full information on revenue levels is obtained by the Scottish Executive. However, financial information on profitability of individual routes is not a…
2 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the fare revenue raised under the First ScotRail franchise has been (a) re-invested in services, (b) paid to FirstGroup plc and (c) used for any other purposes, shown in cash terms and as a percentage of total revenue raised.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive has received excess revenue share from the First ScotRail franchise in respect of the franchise year ending in April 2005. Under the Franchise Agreement, First ScotRail Limited retain the remaining revenue. This in addition to the subsi…
2 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the fare revenue raised under the previous ScotRail franchise was (a) re-invested in services, (b) paid to National Express Group and (c) used for any other purposes, shown in cash terms and as a percentage of total revenue raised.
Answer · Tavish Scott: This information is not held by the Scottish Executive.</p> <p>Under the franchise, the total costs of operating the services and the revenues collected across all the routes were aggregated. In aggregate, the revenue collected under the first franchise was i…
2 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much will be paid to FirstGroup plc under the First ScotRail franchise.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive will pay First ScotRail approximately £1.9 billion in ScotRail franchise payments over the seven year life of the franchise. However, this franchise payment is linked to performance and as such is subject to variation.</p>
2 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much was paid to National Express Group under the previous ScotRail franchise.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The ScotRail franchise payments made to National Express Group under the previous franchise are detailed in the table below:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> <p>Year</p></td> <td> <p>1997-98</p></td> …
2 Aug 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much will be invested in the First ScotRail franchise by (a) it, (b) FirstGroup plc and (c) any other sources.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive will make franchise payments amounting to approximately £1.9 billion to First ScotRail over the seven year life of the franchise.</p> <p>Under the terms of the Franchise Agreement for operating rail services in Scotland, First ScotRail …
25 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the legal advice it has received with regard to the tendering for the Western Isles ferry services.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The Executive does notnormally disclose legal advice which it receives.</p>
25 Jul 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the full minutes of the meetings held between the Minister for Transport and the European Commission with regard to the tendering for the Western Isles ferry services.
Answer · Tavish Scott: Discussions between memberstates and the Commission are private and inform internal discussion andadvice. The minutes of such meetings are not normally made public and are exemptfrom disclosure under section 32(1)(a)(ii) of the Freedom of Information (Scotlan…
13 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-16673 by Nicol Stephen on 3 June 2005 and following the decision on Dumfries and Galloway, whether it will allow any other local authorities to form unitary regional transport partnerships.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The Executive’s proposalsfor the boundaries of the future regional transport partnerships were set outin a draft order sent to the Local Government and Transport Committee on 5 April 2005. Inline with the Committee’s stage 1 report on the Transport (Scotland…
13 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-16672 by Nicol Stephen on 3 June 2005, what exact role it envisages for Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT), as distinct from that planned for the proposed West of Scotland Regional Transport Partnership, in light of the commitment made to the Parl…
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The role envisaged forStrathclyde Passenger Transport is the same as that proposed for the West ofScotland Regional Transport Partnership.</p><p>I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-15923 on 5 May 2005. All answers to writtenparliamentary question…
30 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to progress the designation to shellfish standard of the north-east shoreline from Dundee to Aberdeen.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The area of the north east shorelinefrom Dundee to Aberdeen currently has no designations under either of the ShellfishDirectives. Designations under the Shellfish Waters Directive (79/923/EEC) aremade by the Scottish Executive, based upon production data col…
26 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines are laid down for the treatment of raw sewage by public bodies.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are the regulatory authority for such discharges, using powers granted primarily through the Control of Pollution Act 1974. For larger sewage treatment works, the level of treatment that sewage must receive is…
13 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it is committed to contributing to Laurencekirk Station.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: In 2004, the Scottish Executive funded 50% of the £30,000 cost of undertaking a STAG2 study into the potential reopening of Laurencekirk Station. In addition to this, the Executive has agreed to fund 80% of the estimated £220,000 cost of undertaking an engine…
13 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with head teachers with regard to disruptive behaviour by pupils travelling on school transport.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive maintains an on-going dialogue with head teacher associations through a wide range of events including “Roundtable” discussions on promoting positive behaviour. Head teachers have not raised specific concerns with regard to pupil behavi…
13 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce supervisors on school transport to ensure that drivers are not distracted and that good order is maintained.
Answer · Peter Peacock: It is for education authorities to determine local approaches to staffing on school transport. The Scottish Executive has made available £34.9 million over the next three years for additional support staff to support schools to tackle indiscipline. Education …
13 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase car parking facilities at Stonehaven and Portlethen stations as part of the Aberdeen Crossrail project.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: Car parking provision at Stonehaven and Portlethan railway stations is a matter for the relevant local authority and First ScotRail. The Scottish Executive is not aware of any current proposals to increase car parking at either Stonehaven or Portlethan.</p>
13 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to construct a direct link from Dyce railway station into Aberdeen Airport.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: As part of the longer term proposals for Aberdeen Crossrail, the North East Scotland Transport Partnership (NESTRANS) will consider the possibility of a direct link from Dyce Railway station into Aberdeen Airport.</p>
13 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the target date is for reopening the railway station at Laurencekirk.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: Subject to completion of the engineering study currently underway, which will look at the cost of reopening the station, and to funding being available, Aberdeenshire Council is hopeful that Laurencekirk Station could be operational by the end of 2007.</p>
13 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the target date is for completion of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: If the current preferred corridor through the Murtle Estate is chosen the target completion date would, subject to the satisfactory completion of statutory procedures, be late 2010. If one of the other four alternative route options currently being consulted …
13 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the positions of all junctions on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will be confirmed.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The final positions of all junctions on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will be confirmed when the decision on the route has been taken.</p>
13 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm the statement by the former Minister for Transport, Lewis Macdonald, that the southern route of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route has been rescinded and, if so, what the reasons are for this action.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: No decision has been made by the Scottish Executive on the southern leg of the route, and therefore there is nothing to rescind.</p>
13 May 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has sought to negotiate a purchase of the Camphill Trust estate at Myrtle for a sum sufficient to allow for total relocation of the community to a new facility or whether it will use compulsory purchase to achieve this objective.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: It is too early to negotiate such a purchase. This would only be considered, if appropriate, once a decision on the route had been made.</p>