Parliamentary questions
Des McNulty
1,840 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what energy consumption per person was for all of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in the most recent year for which figures are available.
Answer · John Swinney: The information yourequested is not held centrally.</p><p>During the debate on Greener Scotland, Richard Lochheadadvised Parliament that the Scottish Government and wider public sector, includinglocal authorities, should become exemplars or pioneers in their …
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what energy consumption per person was for its officials in the most recent year for which figures are available.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Governmentprovides accommodation for a number of minor occupiers in the buildings on its coreestate. Around a fifth of the total floor area of the estate is occupied by staffnot directly employed by the government. No central record is kept of st…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its total energy consumption was in the most recent year for which figures are available.
Answer · John Swinney: During 2006-07 thetotal energy consumption for the buildings on the core Government estate was asfollows:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td valign=top> <p align=center>Energy Type</p> </td> <td valign=top> <p align=c…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost has been of flights taken by (a) ministers and (b) officials on official business since May 2007.
Answer · John Swinney: The amount paid bythe Scottish Executive between 1 May and 31 July 2007 for flights taken byministers was £8,248.</p><p>The amount paid bythe Scottish Executive between 1 May and 31 July 2007 for flights by Scottish Executive officials on officialbusiness was…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings outwith Holyrood and Victoria Quay the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change has travelled to (a) on foot, (b) by car, (c) by air and (d) by other means.
Answer · John Swinney: The mode oftransport by which ministers travel to and from ministerial engagements is notalways recorded, unless required for business purposes. The informationprovided is as complete as our records allow.</p><p>The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and …
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministers have followed the example of the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change who stated “I’ve asked the civil servants to timetable engagements if they’re in Edinburgh, so I can walk between them”.
Answer · John Swinney: Scottish Governmentpolicy encourages everyone to consider the environmental impact of their traveland to make the most environmentally conscious and practical arrangements for attendingengagements.</p><p>Ministers have frequentlytravelled by foot between mini…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many journeys have been taken by ministers since their appointment in May 2007 by (a) official car, (b) air, (c) rail and (d) ferry.
Answer · John Swinney: The number of journeystaken by ministers since their appointment in May 2007, by official car, air, rail,and ferry is shown in the following table:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td valign=top> <p><b> </b></p> </td>…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the total carbon emission was from the transportation of ministers by (a) official car, (b) air, (c) rail and (d) ferry in the last year for which figures are available.
Answer · John Swinney: During 2006-07 theequivalent CO<sub>2 </sub>emissions relative to the travel of ministers for officialpurposes by official car, air and rail was as follows:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td valign=top> <p align=center>Ene…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its total carbon emission was in the last year for which figures are available.
Answer · John Swinney: The Government currentlyreports on the equivalent CO<sub>2 </sub>emissions relative to energy consumptionand travel for official purposes.</p><p>During 2006-07 theemissions relative to the total energy consumption from buildings on the coregovernment estate w…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what annual carbon emissions it estimates would result from the operation of rail services on the Glasgow to Edinburgh rail line following electrification.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is leading work<i> </i>to provide firm proposals forthe most cost-effective ways to improve reliability, bring down journey times andprovide capacity for the expected continuing growth in rail passenger numbers betweenEdinburgh and Glasgow.…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what carbon emissions resulted from the operation of rail services on the Glasgow to Edinburgh rail line in the last year for which figures are available.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Carbon emissions resultingfrom the operation of rail services are not monitored by the Scottish Executiveon a route by route basis. The Scottish Executive does not hold the informationrequested.</p>
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the electrification of the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail line will enable passengers to travel in and out of stations in (a) Edinburgh without changing at Haymarket or Waverley and (b) Glasgow without changing at Glasgow Queen Street or Central.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is leading work<i> </i>to provide firm proposals forthe most cost-effective ways to improve reliability, bring down journey times andprovide capacity for the expected continuing growth in rail passenger numbers betweenEdinburgh and Glasgow.…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what economic benefits there will be from the electrification of the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail line.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is leading work<i> </i>to provide firm proposals forthe most cost-effective ways to improve reliability, bring down journey times andprovide capacity for the expected continuing growth in rail passenger numbers betweenEdinburgh and Glasgow.…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much journey times will be improved through the electrification of the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail line.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is leading work<i> </i>to provide firm proposals forthe most cost-effective ways to improve reliability, bring down journey times andprovide capacity for the expected continuing growth in rail passenger numbers betweenEdinburgh and Glasgow.…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding package has been considered for the electrification of the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail line.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is leading work<i> </i>to provide firm proposals forthe most cost-effective ways to improve reliability, bring down journey times andprovide capacity for the expected continuing growth in rail passenger numbers betweenEdinburgh and Glasgow.…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it had prior to 27 June 2007 with industry stakeholders, such as train operating companies, trades unions and Network Rail, concerning the costs involved in the electrification of the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail line.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotlandcommissioned Network Rail to undertake a study into the potential electrificationof the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail route. This GRIP Stage 1 study included a summaryof the key issues by engineering discipline, a high level programme and estima…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it has received concerning the costs involved in the electrification of the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail line.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: In June 2007,Network Rail’s GRIP Stage 1 report into the proposed electrification of the Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh Waverley line was publishedby Transport Scotland. The report summaries the key issues byengineering discipline, provides a high level pr…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the top 10 road accident blackspots are in (a) Edinburgh and the Lothians, (b) Glasgow, (c) Strathclyde, (d) Tayside, (e) Stirlingshire, (f) Perthshire, (g) north-east Scotland, (h) Highland and (i) Eilean Siar, Orkney and Shetland.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The information requestedis not available centrally.</p><p>Data about injuryroad accidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executiveusing the Stats 19 statistical report form. Statistics relating to road accidentsand casualties by loc…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the 20 poorest maintained (a) A roads, (b) B roads and (c) local roads are according to roads statistics.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Executivedoes not hold centrally the information in the form requested. However, <i>ScottishTransport Statistics</i>, published in 2006, shows in table 5.6 the condition oflocal authority roads by council area using an amber/red designation. This…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence was presented to the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change to support his statement that works on the A9 that “will bring economic benefits to both the north of Scotland and the northern Isles”.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The economic appraisalfor the works referred to, showed a positive benefit to cost ratio demonstratingthe value of the scheme to the local and wider community.</p>
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many tenders were received for the 2 km replacement work on the A9 at Helmsdale.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Five.</p>
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to complete the M8; what costs are envisaged; what the timescale is, and what benefits there will be from any upgrade.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Full details on theplans and benefits for the M8 completion can be found on the project website at<a href="http://www.m8completion.co.uk/">www.m8completion.co.uk</a>. Details ofcosts and timescales can be found on the Transport Scotland website at <ahref="htt…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to upgrade the A82; what costs are envisaged, and what benefits there will be from any upgrade.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Details and timescalesfor our major and important planned road projects, including those on the A82, canbe found on the Transport Scotland website at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/index.aspx?pageID=1">http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/i…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to upgrade the A9; what costs are envisaged; what the timescale is, and what benefits there will be from any upgrade.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Details and timescalesfor our major and important planned road projects, including those on the A9, canbe found on the Transport Scotland website at: </p><p><ahref="http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/index.aspx?pageID=1">http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/i…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration is being given to linking the A9 and the A82.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-233 on 7 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.sear…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to routes other than Kirkcaldy to Portobello for a Forth hovercraft.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The report commissionedby SESTRAN will give consideration of hovercraft routes from Kirkcaldy to Leith, and Burntisland to Granton. The report is not yet finalised.</p>
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been advised of the findings of feasibility work commissioned by Fife Council in respect of the Forth hovercraft trial which stated that “no business case would stack up”.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The report commissionedby SESTRAN on cross Forth options has not yet been finalised.</p>
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding was allocated by the South East Scotland Transport Partnership (SESTRANS) for the Kirkcaldy to Portobello hovercraft trial and how SESTRANS will determine whether the trial was successful.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Executiveagreed to support the hovercraft trial up to a maximum of £92,000 via SESTRAN. Theresults of the trial will be analysed in detail by SESTRAN and fed into the studycommissioned by them on possible Forth crossings.</p>
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what subsidy is available for the operation of a water-based commuter service across the Forth between Edinburgh and Fife.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We must wait to seethe outcome and recommendations of the study commissioned by SESTRAN on all thecrossing options before considering funding options for any service to be provided.Full consideration will be given to funding arrangements for any service at th…
1 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with operators proposing a water-based commuter service across the Forth between Edinburgh and Fife.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Executiveagreed to support a hovercraft trial via SESTRAN. The trial was a public/privatepartnership involving a range of key interests - councils, SESTRAN and the operatorStagecoach. Results from the hovercraft trial will feed into the report co…