Parliamentary questions
Des McNulty
1,840 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
3 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which of the trunk road projects currently being financed, or which it is proposed be financed between now and the end of the current spending review period, were proposed under the previous administration.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: While I cannot speak on behalf of previous administrations, the current programme was set out in my statement to Parliament on 27 June 2007. This can be found at:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/files/documents/roads/Motorways-Trunk-Road…
3 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which trunk road projects are currently being financed and which will be financed between now and the end of the current spending review period.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The current programme of investment in the trunk road network is available on the Transport Scotland website at: </p> <p ><a href="http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/files/documents/roads/Motorways-Trunk-Road-Programme-June2007-final.pdf">http://www.transpo…
29 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-11249 and S3W-12807 by Michael Russell on 22 April and 21 May 2007 respectively, on what precise date officials became aware of a potential conflict of interest between developers seeking to attract the same supermarket to rival proposals for retai…
Answer · Michael Russell: Scottish Government officials only became aware of a potential conflict subsequent to the Cairngorms National Park Authority granting planning permission on 11 January 2008. Attention was specifically drawn to the issue of conflict in correspondence from the …
29 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the content of the email sent by the Minister for Community Safety in a constituency member capacity to the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Development at 11:57am on 6 December 2007 was made known to (a) planning officials, (b) the Scottish Environment Protection Agenc…
Answer · Michael Russell: The content of the email was made known to Scottish Government planning officials. The email was not relayed to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) or the Cairngorms National Park Authority. In response to representations received from several m…
29 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-11249 and S3W-12807 by Michael Russell on 22 April and 21 May 2007 respectively, what steps were taken by authorities dealing with the application from Aviemore Highland Resort, on learning of the development application from Laurel Grant Ltd, to i…
Answer · Michael Russell: Determination of the application was at all times an issue solely for the Cairngorms National Park Authority. Any question about the actions taken by the Cairngorms National Park Authority should be directed to its chief executive.</p>
29 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12868 by Stewart Stevenson on 29 May 2008, when the contracts for (a) Ernst and Young LLP and (b) Brodies LLP were awarded; what the specification of the work required was in each instance, and whether the consultants reports will be made available i…
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Ernst and Young LLP were engaged in October 2006 with a remit for financial elements including revenues and growth, fares and affordability, and options on the Scotrail franchise extension.</p> <p >Brodies LLP were engaged in January of 2007 with a remit to …
29 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers who met representatives of Aviemore Highland Resort to discuss the planning application it had put forward to the Cairngorms National Park Authority (a) made a formal declaration of interest or (b) reported their attendance at the meeting to the (i) First Minister, (ii) …
Answer · Michael Russell : There was no requirement to do so.</p>
29 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-11249 and S3W-12807 by Michael Russell on 22 April and 21 May 2008 respectively, what steps were taken by officials, on learning of the development application from Laurel Grant Ltd, to inform authorities dealing with the application from Aviemore …
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-13658 on 12 June 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/w…
29 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-11249 and S3W-12807 by Michael Russell on 22 April and 21 May 2008 respectively, on what precise date in early December 2007 officials learned that the Laurel Grant Ltd application was to be considered by Cairngorms National Park Authority.
Answer · Michael Russell: The agenda and supporting papers for the Cairngorms National Park Authority’s Planning Committee on 14 December 2007 were forwarded to officials on 7 December 2007. These were placed in the public domain by Cairngorms National Park Authority on 6 December 200…
27 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the up-to-date cost-benefit ratio would be for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route as a stand-alone project.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10859 on 27 March 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/…
27 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether in view of the current financial situation of Aberdeen City Council, ministers consider that the council is still in a position to make its expected contribution to the cost of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This is a matter for Aberdeen City Council.</p>
27 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the financial contribution from Aberdeen City Council to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project is expected to be.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-2502 on 14 August 2007. 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/…
27 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any commitment was given by Ministers in the previous or current administrations to carrying out a full review of the costs of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route prior to the issue of Draft Road orders.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-1348 on 24 July 2007. 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/wa…
22 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12556 by Kenny MacAskill on 12 May 2008, what steps are being taken through the concordat with local authorities to increase prosecution of retailers who sell drink to persons under 18 to meet the standard of enforcement being set in Fife.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Decisions on prosecution of retailers are a matter for procurators fiscal. The roll-out of test purchasing across Scotland is providing both police forces and licensing boards with valuable information on retailers who irresponsibly and unlawfully sell to tho…
22 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12806 by John Swinney on 16 May 2008, what capital projects have been advanced since May 2007 using several delivery options other than PPP or the non-profit distribution model.
Answer · John Swinney: There are various funding routes available to public sector organisations for major capital projects other than PFI or the non-profit distribution model. These include direct capital allocations from the Scottish Budget, the prudential borrowing regime for lo…
22 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12806 by John Swinney on 16 May 2008, what capital projects have been advanced since May 2007 using the preferred non-profit distribution model.
Answer · John Swinney: There have been two schools projects procured using the non-profit distributing (NPD) model which were approved since May 2007 by the Scottish Government. These were the Aberdeen City and Falkirk school projects. There are currently four projects in various s…
22 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12806 by John Swinney on 16 May 2008, whether it will list the 10 PPP projects that have received approval by the Scottish Government since May 2007.
Answer · John Swinney: The 10 PPP projects that have received approval by the Scottish Government since May 2007 are listed in the following tables:</p> <p >Table 1: Non Profit Distributing (NPD) projects</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td valign=top…
22 May 2008 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing will meet a cross-party delegation of MSPs to discuss community concerns regarding the threat to the future of the St Margaret of Scotland Hospice, Clydebank.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are responsible for planning, providing and securing the provision of NHS services for its population. The St Margaret of Scotland Hospice receives NHS funding for particular services which it provides and the nature of these ser…
21 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcomes were of the scoping seminar held on 13 May 2008 to discuss arrangements for the distribution of funding from the UK unclaimed assets scheme; how much money is likely to be available in the current financial year, and what the reasons are for any delay in allocating this …
Answer · John Swinney: The purpose of the seminar was to discuss with key figures in the third sector how the consultation would progress on the purposes to which the proceeds of dormant bank accounts should be put and to have an early view on the kinds of issues likely to arise. A…
21 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12608 by Nicola Sturgeon on 8 May 2008, whether it will list the sources of anticipated capital receipts which NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will use to contribute funding for the New Southern General Hospital, and in which financial year each receip…
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: In arriving at a forecast of anticipated capital receipts, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has reviewed the entire range of sites within its ownership and identified those which it believes have potential to generate a capital receipt on account of disposal wit…
21 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12608 by Nicola Sturgeon on 8 May 2008, how much will remain in each year from the capital allocation after funding for the New Southern General Hospital has been excluded.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The capital allocations available to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde following exclusion of the funding provided by the NHS board for the New Southern Hospitals Project, are as follows: </p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td valign=t…
21 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12608 by Nicola Sturgeon on 8 May 2008, what the breakdown will be of the £135 million provided from within the capital allocation to NHS boards in each financial year for the New Southern General Hospital.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The breakdown of the £135 million provided from within the capital allocation to NHS boards in each financial year for the New Southern General Hospital is as follows: </p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td width=73 valign=top > …
21 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has communicated to disability groups its decision that no changes will be made to the eligibility criteria for the Scotland-wide free bus travel scheme, which exclude those on the lower rate of disability allowance, and whether it will also inform all members who supported mot…
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: No decisions have yet been taken about future eligibility criteria for the Scotland-wide free bus travel scheme for older and disabled people. The scheme is to be reviewed later this year.</p>
21 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it accepts the evidence provided by Professor Glen Bramley that Bearsden and Milngavie is the district with the highest level of unmet need in Scotland; whether East Dunbartonshire Council will be given a share of the £25 million for council house building to build new houses in t…
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: In the most recently published <i >Local Housing Need and Affordability Model for Scotland</i> (November 2006), Professor Glen Bramley identifies the former district of Bearsden and Milngavie as having the ninth highest level of positive net housing need in S…
21 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether appropriate rehearsal and office accommodation which fully meets the needs of the National Theatre of Scotland has now been found.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: The National Theatre of Scotland currently occupies office and rehearsal space at The Bridge in Easterhouse, offices in Hope Street, and storage space at Glasgow North Trading Estate, and makes use of other rehearsal, workshop and meeting spaces on a regular …
21 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when ministers indicated to FirstGroup plc their willingness to discuss terms on which an extension of the Scotrail franchise might be offered.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: In December 2006 Scottish ministers indicated to Transport Scotland they were content for officials to discuss terms for a franchise extensions with First Group plc.</p>
21 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-11771 by Stewart Stevenson on 1 May 2008, whether the supporting evidence and information arising from the “thorough value for money assessment” referred to can be considered confidential now that the contract for the Scotrail franchise extension has…
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Requests for information are handled on a case-by-case basis, looking at all the circumstances of each particular case.</p> <p >The assessment carried out was based on the costing model used by First ScotRail. Given the commercial sensitivity attached to th…
21 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-11769 by Stewart Stevenson on 1 May 2008, what percentage of marginal profit would have been returned to the Scottish Government had the profit of the Scotrail franchise reached 30% per annum at 2007-08 prices under the previous franchise arrangement…
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There was no profit share provision contained within the previous ScotRail franchise arrangements. Therefore no profit would have been returned to the Scottish Government.</p>
21 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has had discussions with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing regarding the impact on existing tenants, especially those of advancing years, of the allocation of houses in multi-storey blocks to people with a record of antisocial behavio…
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I have not had discussions with the Cabinet Secretary for Justice on this particular issue but we work closely together to tackle the problem of antisocial behaviour in our communities which remains a top priority for the Scottish Government.</p> <p >Whether…
21 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how officials handle a request from the First Minister for his views on a development application to be drawn to the attention of planning officials where the application is not in the First Minister’s constituency and what safeguards are in place to ensure that the normal procedures and …
Answer · Michael Russell: All civil servants are required to act in accordance with the terms of the Civil Service Code, and to conduct themselves at all times with integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. The Civil Service Code is available on the Scottish Government website…