David Mundell

10 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support dairy farmers in obtaining value from bull calves.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive has no plans tosupport dairy farmers to obtain value from bull calves. This is essentially a commercialmatter.</p>

10 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on transitional funding for local tourism hubs.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The current operating budgetfor all of the Area Tourist Boards taken together shows an expected deficit of justunder £2 million in the current financial year. Funding for the VisitScotland networkoffices next year will come from local authorities, VisitScotla…

1 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what specific powers currently exercised by Strathclyde Passenger Transport will be transferred to the proposed west of Scotland regional transport partnership.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Subject to Parliament’s approval, the intention is that all of the powers currently exercised by Strathclyde Passenger Transport will be transferred to the proposed regional transport partnership for the west of Scotland, with the exception of relevant rail p…

30 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2O-4240 by Mrs Elish Angiolini regarding the four prosecutions under the New Roads and Street Act 1991, what the nature and location of each offence was; whether convictions were obtained in each case and, if so, what sentence was imposed.

Answer · Elish Angiolini: Of the four cases in which criminal proceedings were taken under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 between 2002 and 2004, three were for contraventions of section 38 (1) (which relates to refusal to pay a toll) and one was for a contravention of section…

29 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been allocated to each community transport scheme, broken down by source.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: This reply provides answers toyour questions numbered S2W-12707 and S2W-12708.</p><p>The following table providesdetails of funding allocated to community transport schemes funded by the Executive’sRural Community Transport Initiative, Urban Community Transpo…

29 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the details are of the services provided by each community transport scheme.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the question S2W-12708 answered on 20 December 2004. 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/webap…

26 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will allow local authorities not to participate in the proposed regional transport partnerships, should they wish to.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive’s proposals for regional transport partnerships are set out in Part 1 of the Transport (Scotland) Bill 2004, presented to Parliament on 27 October 2004. Section 1(1)(a) proposes to place on the Scottish ministers a duty to “divide Scotland into …

26 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of section 43 of the Transport (Scotland) Bill, why the power to set up quality partnerships and quality contracts was previously withheld from local authorities within the Strathclyde Passenger Transport area in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Decisions on Legislation are a matter for Parliament and the relevant Committees. The Policy Memorandum and the Explanatory Notes for the Transport (Scotland) Bill which led to the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 are silent on the matter.</p>

26 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of section 43 of the Transport (Scotland) Bill, why it has decided to give local authorities within the Strathclyde Passenger Transport area the power to set up quality partnerships and quality contracts when such powers have previously not been given.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: As indicated in the White Paper, <i>Scotland’s Transport Future</i>, the purpose is to encourage development of high-quality services and infrastructure at a local level.</p>

26 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff, in addition to any staff employed by the constituent local authorities, are currently employed directly by (a) HITRANS, (b) WESTRANS, (c) SESTRANS and (d) NESTRANS.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: No staff are currently employed directly by HITRANS, WESTRANS, SESTRAN or NESTRANS.</p><p>One person works for HITRANS and is engaged as a consultant.</p><p>Four people work for WESTRANS and are employed by Renfrewshire Council.</p><p>SESTRAN sub-contracts it…

26 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when west coast ferry routes currently operated by Caledonian MacBrayne will go out to tender.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: On 8 December, I announced details of the consultation exercise on the final service specification for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services. The consultation will provide an opportunity for individuals and organisations with an interest to make their views k…

26 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it envisages that the proposed west of Scotland regional transport partnership will have over bus services in the Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) area and how these powers will differ from those currently exercised by SPT.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The consultation paper <i>Scotland’s Transport Future: Proposals for Statutory Regional Transport Partnerships</i> published on 27 October 2004 restated the Executive’s commitment to creating a strong regional transport partnership (RTP) in the west of Scotla…

23 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the provisions in section 12 of the Transport (Scotland) Bill, the current rail functions of Strathclyde Passenger Transport will be exercised by it, the proposed national transport agency, the proposed west of Scotland regional transport partnership or another body.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: It is intended that the Regional Transport Partnership in the West of Scotland will continue to manage, develop and monitor rail services in its area. It will do so on behalf of the Scottish ministers through the new transport agency.</p>

17 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond formally to the issues raised at the Small Towns under Threat conference on 17 September 2004 at Tweed Horizons, Newtown St. Boswells.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive has not been asked to respond formally to the issues raised at the Small Towns Under Threat conference. However, recognising the value of small towns, we are working to improve and develop on our understanding of the issues related to growth and…

9 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when new trains with improved acceleration, suitable for use on services via the proposed station at Edinburgh Airport, will enter service.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Options for the procurement of rolling stock are being assessed by the Scottish Executive. We are working to ensure that appropriate rolling stock is in place before the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link opens.</p>

1 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be any constraints on the number of staff that regional transport partnerships may employ.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Transport (Scotland) Bill presented to the Parliament on 27 October 2004 included proposals for the establishment of regional transport partnerships. The content of the legislation is now a matter for Parliament. It is the Executive’s view that recruitmen…

1 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether staff employed by the regional transport partnerships, as outlined in the Transport (Scotland) Bill, will be hired in addition to those staff already employed by constituent local authorities on transport matters.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Transport (Scotland) Bill presented to the Parliament on 27 October 2004 included proposals for the establishment of regional transport partnerships. The content of the legislation is now a matter for Parliament. It is the Executive’s view that recruitmen…

1 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action would be required from (a) it, (b) Network Rail, (c) ScotRail and (d) any other bodies to reopen stations on the East Coast main line between Edinburgh and Berwick.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The process for opening or re-opening a station requires detailed assessment and appraisal involving a number of industry and public sector participants. The Strategic Rail Authority has recently developed, with industry partners and other stakeholders, a gui…

1 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the minimum scheduled journey time was by rail between Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street in (a) 1974, (b) 1988, (c) 1994 and (d) 2004.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: This information is not held centrally.</p>

22 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to re-establish passenger rail services to Grangemouth.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Proposals and the business case for new local services or re-opened stations are best promoted, in the first instance, by the relevant local authority or regional transport partnership. No such proposals have been put to the Executive in respect of re-establi…

22 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether local rail services between Dundee and Arbroath will be improved under the current ScotRail franchise.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Arbroath to Dundee services will benefit from the significant enhancements offered by the new franchise. Benefits will include improved performance year on year, a national £40 million capital investment programme, including station enhancements, improved…

22 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether local rail services between Edinburgh, Dunbar and Berwick will be established during the current ScotRail franchise.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The franchise agreement includes a mechanism that can allow new services to be introduced to help deliver future plans for the Scottish network, and the Executive is always willing to consider transport proposals which have the support of the relevant local a…

21 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive against which “measurable milestones” it will assess improvements to the trunk road network, as referred to in Transport target 3 of Draft Budget 2005-06.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The measurable milestones are currently being developed in conjunction with our road condition survey consultants.</p>

21 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the west coast ferry routes currently operated by Caledonian MacBrayne will now be tendered separately or as a single package.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive’s current position is that, with the exception of one route, the network will be tendered as a whole. This is intended to maximise service reliability for the communities served, simplify the process for management of vessels and provide economi…

14 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty’s Government regarding the recommendations of the Council of Scottish Colonels on the future structure of Scotland's regiments.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of defence issues including Scottish Regiments. Operational matters in the armed forces, however, are the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence.</p>

14 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage supermarkets to source more products locally.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I regularly meet representatives of the multiples to discuss their sourcing policy. I take every opportunity to remind them of the range and quality of Scottish produce and encourage them to source more from Scotland.</p>

14 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to prevent the spread of scrapie in sheep.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive in partnership with Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government has been operating the National Scrapie Plan for Great Britain since July 2001. The National Scrapie Plan will comply with new European requirements which come into force on 1 …

8 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what specific role it envisages for Strathclyde Passenger Transport in relation to (a) rail services and (b) other transport functions.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Transport Bill I presented to Parliament on 27 October 2004 put forward legislative proposals to give effect to the plans for the future of Strathclyde Passenger Transport that were set out in paragraph 5.22 of the White Paper <i>Scotland’s Transport Futu…

4 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what lessons it has learned from the Better Health Better Healthcare conference held in Dumfries on 24 September 2004.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The Executive is always interested to learn from the experiences of other countries and share best practice. We welcome the work undertaken by Dumfries and Galloway Health Board detailed in the Better Health Better Healthcare conference report. I understand t…

28 Sep 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on the construction and improvement of motorways and trunk roads in each of the last 10 years.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The information requested is given in table number 11.1 of <i>Scottish Transport Statistics No 23: 2004 Edition </i>which is available on the Scottish Executive’s website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/360/00360a-38.asp.</p>