Parliamentary questions
David Mundell
955 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
6 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-22628 by Mr Andy Kerr on 15 February 2002, when it, local authorities, the Electoral Commission and any other relevant parties will agree on the final proposals for e-voting.
Answer · Andy Kerr: We have received no formal proposals to date from councils to run an e-voting pilot at a local government election.
6 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria define accessibility to "global connections" as referred to in the Digital Scotland Task Force Report.
Answer · Iain Gray: The reference to the importance of "global connections" to Scotland's overall economic performance stems from the Scottish Executive's statement of ambitions for the Enterprise Networks, <I>A Smart, Successful Scotland</I>. Digital connectivity is an importan…
5 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-21273 by Iain Gray on 16 January 2002, whether the study into how ICT and web access can be improved for disabled people has been completed.
Answer · Margaret Curran: We expect to complete a study into how ICT and web access can be improved for disabled people later this year.
5 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-21284 by Iain Gray on 16 January 2002, how many local champions are now operating.
Answer · Margaret Curran: There are currently nine digital champions financed by the Scottish Executive working in social inclusion partnership areas to share good practice and facilitate local digital inclusion projects.<P>In addition, the Executive's National Grid for Learning progr…
5 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the current incidence of road rage is and how it compares with levels in the 1970s.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The information requested is not available. As there are no specific crimes associated with "road rage", the available recorded crime statistics cannot distinguish incidents of road rage.
5 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when web-based visitor information on the sustainable use of natural heritage sites will be made available.
Answer · Mike Watson: This action under the Tourism Framework for Action is the responsibility of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). I understand that SNH have completed the first phase of a study of sustainable management of natural heritage sites around the world, and are now pilo…
5 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action Scottish Enterprise is taking to create stronger links with companies and institutions in order to internationalise their activities.
Answer · Iain Gray: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. Information on action being taken is contained in it'sUnder <I>A Smart Successful Scotland</I> one of the three main priorities for Scottish Enterprise is ensuring that Scotland is a globally connected na…
5 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to support uptake of food Quality Assurance schemes.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Scotland has a range of highly reputable quality assurance schemes covering most agri-food and fisheries products but these are all industry led and industry controlled. They are also voluntary schemes. It is up to individual producers to determine the market…
5 Jun 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is in respect of the disposal of each dwelling acquired by it during the construction of the M74 from Douglas to Gretna.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Twelve dwellings acquired for the construction of the M74 continue to be held by the Scottish Executive. Two have been sold, subject to conclusion of missives (Upper Howcleugh and Broomlands House). Two are on the market (Fairfield and Glenevan). One is to be…
5 Jun 2002 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what will happen to those bids by local authorities for funding of school improvements which are unsuccessful in the current bidding rounds.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: We expect to announce decisions on the bids from local authorities for financial support for school PPP projects soon.
30 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether an assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the Improving Regulations in Scotland Unit in (a) reducing the burden of regulation, (b) making the implementation of regulations easier and (c) ensuring that the way in which regulations apply to businesses is fair.
Answer · Iain Gray: The Scottish Executive keeps the allocation of all its resources under scrutiny to ensure their use remains justified. The Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit continues to have an important contribution to make, to secure delivery of the Executive's commitm…
27 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it requires Dumfries and Galloway Council to provide public toilet facilities in Langholm for users of the A7.
Answer · Peter Peacock: No, section 26 of the Local Government and Planning (Scotland) Act 1982 states that local authorities may provide and maintain public toilets but lays no statutory obligation upon them to do so.
27 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines exist on the number of public toilets to be provided adjacent to trunk road routes.
Answer · Peter Peacock: No guidelines exist on the number of public toilets to be provided adjacent to trunk road routes.<P>National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 9: <I>The Provision of Roadside Facilities on Motorways and Trunk Roads in Scotland</I> provides planning guidance on…
27 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its news release SEet037/2002 on 23 May 2002 on using public transport, which Ministers routinely travel to work by (a) public transport, (b) private car and (c) ministerial car.
Answer · Andy Kerr: Ministerial travel patterns vary according to the timing and location of engagements. Arrangements for travel to work are made to support the efficient conduct of Government business and the security of official documents, involving the use of the Government …
23 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the status is in Scotland of Lord Birt's report to the Prime Minister on transport issues.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Lord Birt's work is internal advice to the UK Government. As such, it fully respects the devolution settlement and the UK Government has assured us that his work will not make recommendations affecting Scotland on devolved matters that are the responsibility …
21 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-21239 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 16 January 2002, whether the Memorandum of Understanding between Scottish UfI Ltd and the National Grid for Learning has now been finalised.
Answer · Iain Gray: The National Grid for Learning and Scottish UfI Ltd are in the process of finalising a Memorandum of Understanding.
21 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring arrangements are in place in order to determine how successful the creation of Careers Scotland will be.
Answer · Iain Gray: The Executive has set a series of targets for the new body and a timetable for their achievement. My officials will be meeting Careers Scotland directors regularly to discuss progress towards delivery, and the Joint Supervisory Group that oversees Careers Sco…
21 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-21235 by Nicol Stephen on 16 January 2002, whether the meeting with senior BBC representatives has now taken place and, if so, what the outcomes of the meeting were.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: Nicol Stephen met representatives of the BBC on 6 June 2002. BBC representatives outlined its proposal to develop and roll out the Digital Curriculum and indicated to the minister that the proposal was currently the subject of a consultation by the Department…
21 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is taken by Scottish Enterprise to attract talented individuals from abroad; how it ascertains whether such individuals stay in Scotland, and how it measures any impact on the economy of their retention.
Answer · Iain Gray: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. Information on action being taken is contained in its operating plan for 2002-03.
21 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Schools Digital Network will be up and running.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive aims to conclude the process of consultation with local authorities and other stakeholders during the summer 2002 and intends to place an OJEC advert for the Scottish Schools Digital Network during the second half of 2002. We aim to have a point…
21 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the next annual progress report on the Scottish National Grid for Learning strategy.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: We plan to publish the next progress report by autumn 2002.
21 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which of the basic public services listed in the annex to the European Commission communication, e-Europe 2002: Impact and Priorities, fall within its responsibilities.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The public services listed in the annex to the European Commission communication, <I>e-Europe 2002: Impact and Priorities</I> which fall within the Scottish Executive's responsibilities are as follows:<P>Application for building permissions (planning and buil…
17 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses have utilised VisitScotland's forty Quality Advisors as referred to in action point 12 of its Tourism Framework for Action 2002-05.
Answer · Mike Watson: All businesses registered in the VisitScotland Quality Assurance schemes (approximately 10,000 in total) have had at least one visit from VisitScotland's Quality Advisors.
17 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive who the VisitScotland ambassadors for sport are as referred to in action point 11 of its Tourism Framework for Action 2002-05.
Answer · Mike Watson: This is an operational matter for VisitScotland.
17 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when tourists and visitors to Scotland will be able to access the national transport timetable through VisitScotland's website as referred to in action point 14 of its Tourism Framework for Action 2002-05.
Answer · Mike Watson: The Traveline (National Transport Timetable) website is due to be launched in summer 2002. After the launch, eTourism will look at how best to integrate it into the VisitScotland.com website.
17 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition is of "sustainable development strategy for Scotland's product portfolio", as referred to in objective 2.5 of its Tourism Framework for Action 2002-05, with specific reference to the business conference centre.
Answer · Mike Watson: Scotland's "products portfolio" refers to the products which are key to the overall tourism marketing strategy - including golf, culture, and genealogy. The business conference sector is also one of these priority areas. By anticipating consumer nee…
17 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition is of "tourism-related sectors" as referred to in objective 1.3 of its Tourism Framework for Action 2002-05.
Answer · Mike Watson: By working together with "tourism-related sectors", such as retail, food and drink, and transport, the Scottish Executive aims to develop a closer relationship between related sectors of the economy to benefit the tourism industry as a whole.
17 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the private business/public agency group as referred to in objective 1.1 of its Tourism Framework for Action 2002-05 will be established and start meeting.
Answer · Mike Watson: The group will meet for the first time in the autumn.
17 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the Natural Cooking of Scotland initiative is as referred to in objective 3.1 of its Tourism Framework for Action 2002-05.
Answer · Mike Watson: Natural Cooking of Scotland is an initiative that has been developed in conjunction with food and tourism leaders to raise awareness of the quality and range of Scotland's natural food products and cooking skills. Co-ordinated by Taste of Scotland, Natural Co…
17 May 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to relocate the headquarters of Scottish Natural Heritage.
Answer · Allan Wilson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-22875 on 22 February 2002.