Parliamentary questions

Des McNulty

1,840 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

15 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what cost projections the benefit-to-cost ratio for the Borders railway project was calculated and what the ratio would be if the latest cost estimates were used.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: As I stated to the Parliament on 5 March 2008, the Borders rail project is expected to cost between £235 to £295 million, with a benefit-to-cost ratio of 1.32. There has been no revision to this forecast cost range.

15 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether prices of rail passenger tickets for single and return journeys at peak periods on the Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk High route are higher or lower than prices on rail routes between other cities in the United Kingdom a similar distance apart and whether reducing the level of f…

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Prices of rail passenger tickets for single and return journeys at peak periods on the Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk High route are lower than the majority of prices on rail routes between other cities in the United Kingdom a similar distance apart. <…

15 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to be in a position to publish the strategic transport projects review reports.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The reports arising from the strategic transport projects review will be published later in the year, once ministers have given careful consideration to the findings and made an announcement on the outcome of the review.

15 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Clyde Fastlink project (phases 1, 2 and 3) will be considered in the strategic transport projects review.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Clyde Fastlink project (phases 1, 2 and 3), as a project identified in the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport''s Regional Transport Strategy, has been considered as part of the strategic transport projects review.

15 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive through what funding mechanism it will fund the Borders railway project

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: As stated in Parliament on 5 March 2008, the Borders Railway will be funded via open procurement seeking private funding through the Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) model. In addition Scottish Borders, Midlothian and City of Edinburgh councils have agreed to c…

15 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in what prisons the prisoner population exceeds the design capacity by (a) 5%, (b) 10% and (c) 20%.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Prison populations necessarily vary on a daily basis. The position as at 15 August 2008 was as follows: <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td valign=top > Exceeds 5% </td> <td valign=top > …

15 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the rates of interest being paid to lenders in relation to the Aberdeen and Falkirk NPDO schools projects are lower or higher than the rates being paid in relation to recent PPP school projects such as those in East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, Perth and Kinross, Dumfries …

Answer · John Swinney: The rates of interest being paid to lenders in relation to specific NPD/PPP projects will depend on various factors, such as market conditions at the time of procurement and the nature of the project features, so it is not possible to provide a direct compari…

15 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish its single outcome agreements with the 32 individual councils in Scotland or make them available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Answer · John Swinney: Copies of all 32 single outcome agreements which were agreed with local authorities on 30 June 2008 can be obtained via the Improvement Service website by the following link: <a href="http://www.improvementservice.org.uk/component/option,com_docman/I…

15 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish students studying at universities in England and Wales are entitled to lesser amounts in student loans than their English and Welsh counterparts.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The amount of support available to students varies depending on individual circumstances. To establish what support is available I refer the member to the information on student loan amounts available from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland for Scottish s…

15 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken within its existing powers to bring fuel prices on Scottish islands closer to levels on the mainland.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government is concerned about the impact of rising fuel costs on rural communities and on businesses where fuel represent a significant cost burden and on the wider economy. Ministers have written to the UK Government seeking action to t…

15 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in seeking an alternative operator for the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry service.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We are working very closely with Forth Ports to identify an alternative commercial operator for the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry service. There have been constructive discussions with potential operators. These discussions are continuing as we look to find a com…

15 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the STAG appraisal of the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry service has been completed; whether the service has been found to be economically viable, and what the benefit to cost ratio is for re-establishing the service.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Scottish Government officials, in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Executive, are currently in the process of considering a draft report prepared by the consultants appointed to undertake this appraisal work. When the final report becomes available, mini…

15 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing could have instituted a full public inquiry into the outbreak of Clostridium difficile at the Vale of Leven hospital without affecting any enquiries by the police or the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Scottish ministers do have powers to instigate an inquiry where particular events have caused public concern. However, the Lord Advocate has asked the Area Procurator Fiscal for Argyll and Clyde to make urgent enquires into the circumstances of the deaths at …

15 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what impact fare increases for bus passengers will have on the amounts bus operators are expected to claim as reimbursement from the concessionary travel budget in (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The concessionary travel budget is a limited budget that is increased year-on-year using a cost escalator based on bus industry running costs rather than the fare increases implemented by each operator. The full impact of any fare increases are not therefore …

15 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has decided to set statutory interim targets for greenhouse gas emissions over the period to 2011.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The content of the forthcoming Scottish Climate Change Bill is currently under consideration. The consultation on the proposals for the bill considered the scope of the 2050 target and possible interim targets.

13 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients per week are treated by anaesthetists providing out-of-hours cover at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15477 on 5 September 2008. 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…

13 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the weekly cost is of providing out-of-hours anaesthetic cover at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Information about the provision of out-of hour''s anaesthetic cover at the Vale of Leven Hospital can be found in the Report of the Independent External Clinical Review of Anaesthetic Services at the Vale of Leven Hospital published on 15 August 2008. The r…

13 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many pregnant women in West Dunbartonshire have been offered a choice between having their baby in the Community Maternity Unit in the Vale of Leven Hospital or in the Queen Mother’s Hospital in Glasgow and which option was chosen by these mothers, expressed also in percentage terms, …

Answer · Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally. Women who fulfil the criteria for a Community Maternity Unit (CMU) birth are offered a choice of the Vale or the CMU in the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH). All women are offered the choice of delivery in the o…

13 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Strathclyde Police will be able to meet the target number of additional police officers if the Scottish Government does not make funding available to cover the £29 million shortfall in pensions cost for 2009-10.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Decisions on the recruitment of police officers are matters for the Chief Constable and the Strathclyde Joint Police Board. The Scottish government is investing £94 million to centrally the fund the recruitment of 1,000 extra police officers by 2011 and Strat…

13 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the operational impact will be on Strathclyde Police if the Scottish Government does not make extra funding available to cover the £29 million shortfall in pensions cost for 2009-10.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Operational policing is a matter for the Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police. Discussions between the Scottish Government, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and COSLA on longer term pensions issues are continuing and we hope to reach a jo…

13 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which communities in (a) West Dunbartonshire and (b) East Dunbartonshire are benefiting from the Cash Back for Communities scheme.

Answer · John Swinney: The young people of East and West Dunbartonshire are benefiting from CashBack for Communities funding: in East Dunbartonshire, Merkland School has participated in Easter and Summer Street Football events whilst Leisuredrome and Kirkintilloch L.C. participated…

31 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-14759 by Jim Mather on 23 July 2008, when the planned research into the economic impact of wildlife tourism will (a) start and (b) finish.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government and VisitScotland recognise that wildlife tourism makes a valuable and growing contribution to Scottish tourism, and thus to sustainable economic growth. We are currently studying the feasibility and costs of commissioning research to …

31 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-14759 by Jim Mather on 23 July 2008, whether shooting and stalking will be included in the planned research into the economic impact of wildlife tourism.

Answer · Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-15278 on 28 August 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions can be found on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp…

31 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-14759 by Jim Mather on 23 July 2008, what categories of wildlife tourism will be covered in the planned research into the economic impact of wildlife tourism.

31 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-14759 by Jim Mather on 23 July 2008, what the terms of reference are for the planned research into the economic impact of wildlife tourism and who will carry out the research.

27 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-13078 by Jim Mather on 27 May 2008, how many new golf courses are required to maintain the benefits of golf tourism and whether any new golf courses are necessary to achieve the benefits from the Ryder Cup, referred to in the answer.

Answer · Jim Mather: Scotland already has a fantastic range and number of golf courses, old and new, hidden gems as well as the jewels in the crown like Turnberry, Muirfield and the Old Course. The challenge for those charged with increasing the benefits of golf tourism is to bet…

27 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-13078 by Jim Mather on 27 May 2008, when the research being carried out by VisitScotland on the total value of golf tourism to Scotland will be published.

Answer · Jim Mather: The research being carried out by VisitScotland on the total value of golf tourism to Scotland will be published in January 2009.

27 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-13078 by Jim Mather on 27 May 2008, what the estimated economic benefit is to Scotland of (a) wildlife tourism, (b) tourism dependent on wild places and unspoilt landscapes and (c) tourism based on the natural and cultural heritage of Scotland.

Answer · Jim Mather: Precise estimates on the economic benefit to Scotland of wildlife tourism; tourism dependent on wild places and unspoilt landscapes; and tourism based on the natural and cultural heritage of Scotland are not available, although research into the economic impa…

17 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, under the legislation to be introduced, people negligently exposed to asbestos who are diagnosed with the asymptomatic pleural thickening and asymptomatic asbestosis, will be able to pursue a claim for damages in Scotland.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-14303 on 14 July 2008. 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/webapp/…

17 Jun 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when legislation will be introduced to ensure that people negligently exposed to asbestos who develop pleural plaques will be able to pursue a claim for damages in Scotland.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government introduced a Bill to the Scottish Parliament to overrule the House of Lords Judgment in Johnston v NEI International Combustion Ltd on 23 June 2008. The Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill wa…