Parliamentary questions
Des McNulty
1,840 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
16 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-9043 by Michael Russell on 25 February 2008, what the outcome was of the meeting between the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism and Mr Macdonald at the SNP conference on 26 October 2007.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21950 on 23 April 2009 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/Apps2/B…
16 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-9043 by Michael Russell on 25 February 2008, what benefit the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism saw in attending a meeting with Mr Macdonald at the SNP conference on 26 October 2007 to get an update on a live planning application.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21950 on 23 April 2009. 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/Apps2/…
16 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-9043 by Michael Russell on 25 February 2008, for what reason the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism attended a meeting with Mr Macdonald at the SNP conference on 26 October 2007 to get an update on a live planning application.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The meeting held between the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism and Mr Macdonald at the SNP conference on 26 October 2007 was an informal, non-ministerial conversation. The Scottish Government does not hold any information on such meetings.</p>
16 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth was told by Mr Macdonald at the SNP National conference in 2007 and what the outcome was of the meeting held at the conference between the Minister for Community Safety, the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, the chai…
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Both the meetings were non-ministerial conversations. The Scottish Government does not hold any information on such meetings.</b></p>
16 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-9043 by Michael Russell on 25 February 2008, what issues were discussed when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing met Mr Macdonald on 7 August 2007 and which of its directorates were asked to provide the briefings for this meeting.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: At our meeting on 7 August 2007, Mr Donald Macdonald and I discussed a range of health service related issues, for which the Healthcare Policy and Strategy Directorate was asked to provide briefing.</p>
16 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-10935 and S3W-10942 by Michael Russell on 11 April 2008, for what reason it decided not to ask the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) if it took an informed approach to decision making and erred on the side of caution in relation to floo…
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: SEPA''s decisions on individual planning applications, including the assessment of the flood risk associated with Aviemore Highland Resort''s master plan, are operational matters for SEPA. I am satisfied that SEPA''s approach was compatible with the Scottish …
16 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-9066 by Michael Russell on 25 February 2008, for what reason at the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee meeting on the 19 March 2008 the Minister for Environment said “I have never intervened in a planning process” (Official Report c. 614).
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9059 on 25 February 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at: </p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliam…
12 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has sought assurances that the progress of utility works for the Edinburgh tram scheme will be completed by the original and anticipated date.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland maintains standard monthly promoter reporting procedures which covers cost and programme issues.</p>
12 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether consideration has been given to asking Transport Scotland to take over responsibility as client for the delivery of the contract for the Edinburgh tram project if Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (TIE) fails to fulfil its duties and preparatory works.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Responsibility for the delivery of the Edinburgh Tram project is a matter for the City of Edinburgh Council.</p>
12 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (TIE) has the civil engineering capabilities to undertake a project of such national significance as the delivery of a tram system for Edinburgh.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This is entirely a matter for the City of Edinburgh Council.</p>
12 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, if the contract between Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (TIE) and the consortium awarded the contract for the delivery of a tram system for Edinburgh is not a fixed-price one and a funding shortfall exists, who ultimately is responsible for the balance.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government is committed to provide up to £500 million for the Edinburgh tram project. All costs in excess of this are the responsibility of the City of Edinburgh Council.</p>
12 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the contract between Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (TIE) and the consortium awarded the contract for the delivery of a tram system for Edinburgh is a fixed-price one.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W- 21867 on 19 March 2009. 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/Apps2…
12 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are guarantors for the clients in the contract between Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (TIE) and the consortium awarded the contract for the delivery of a tram system for Edinburgh and, if so, who these guarantors are, and what the nature is of their contractual liability.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21870 on 19 March 2009. 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/Apps2…
12 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the expected contribution from the Scottish Government for the Edinburgh tram project has been (a) committed and (b) handed over to Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (TIE) or the City of Edinburgh Council.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The amount invoiced to date to Transport Scotland by the City of Edinburgh Council for the tram project is £236 million.</p>
12 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive who were the signatories to the contract between Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (TIE) and the consortium awarded the contract for the delivery of a tram system for Edinburgh and on whose behalf they were acting.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This is not a matter for the Scottish Government as the contract was signed by Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (TIE) on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council.</p>
12 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, following the agreement to provide funding for the Edinburgh tram project, what steps were taken by ministers to ensure that all the issues identified in the Audit Scotland report on the project were fully taken account of.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Parliament agreed, against the wishes of the Scottish Government, on 27 June 2007, that the issues identified in the Audit Scotland report on the Edinburgh tram project had been fully taken account of, and agreed that the Scottish Government should continue t…
12 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers or Transport Scotland were consulted or had discussions about the terms of the contract between Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (TIE) and the consortium awarded the contract for the delivery of a tram system for Edinburgh.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This contract and its terms are entirely a matter for Transport Initiatives Edinburgh on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council.</p>
12 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the contract between Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (TIE) and the consortium awarded the contract for the delivery of a tram system for Edinburgh was signed.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government has been advised that the contract was signed on 14 May 2008 by TIE on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council.</p>
9 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-9066 by Michael Russell on 25 February 2008, whether an official from the Rural Directorate was asked to contact Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) about the planning applications on 29 November 2007 and, if so, what the basis is for the M…
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the question S3W-21698 on 19 March 2009. 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/Apps2/Business/P…
9 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to question S3W-9066 by Michael Russell on 25 February 2008 and question S3W-19266 by Roseanna Cunningham on 20 February 2009, whether the matters of process raised with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) by the Minister for Environment were the same…
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: No Scottish Government official contacted SEPA on 29 November 2007 to discuss the Aviemore planning applications.</p>
9 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-10948 and S3W-10947 by Michael Russell on 11 April 2008, for what reasons it will not make a statement to the Parliament in relation to the actions of Scottish ministers regarding the Aviemore resort hotels master plan and related planning applicat…
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I am satisfied that Scottish ministers, in relation to the Aviemore Highland Resort''s planning applications, acted at all times in accordance with their responsibilities and accountabilities. In these circumstances, I believe it would be an inappropriate use…
9 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-11032 and S3W-11033 by Michael Russell on 16 April 2008, whether it considers that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPA) decision to approve the Aviemore resort hotels master plan without a satisfactory flood risk assessment on 4 Dece…
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The decision by SEPA to withdraw its objection to the master plan on 4 December 2007 was an operational matter for SEPA. I understand that SEPA is satisfied that the decision was appropriate in the circumstances of the case, and ensured that the environment a…
3 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the Irish Residential Institutions Redress Board, said by Judge Sean Ryan, Chairperson of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, to have discharged its work smoothly and efficiently, provides a model for Scotland to emulate.
Answer · Shona Robison: In addition to a public consultation on the possibility of an Acknowledgement and Accountability forum being established in Scotland for those who have been subject to institutional abuse, the Scottish Government is currently looking at a range of national an…
3 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the House of Lords’ ruling on 21 May 2008 (UKHL 32) that prevents some survivors of historic child abuse who were abused after 1964 from seeking redress through the courts, whether it will review the law of limitation.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Following references from the previous administration, the Scottish Law Commission thoroughly reviewed the law on prescription and limitation as it relates to all personal injury cases. The commission''s final report, <i >Personal Injury Actions: Limitation a…
3 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the law of limitation to allow survivors of historic child abuse who were abused before 1964 to seek redress through the courts.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Following references from the previous administration, the Scottish Law Commission thoroughly reviewed the law on prescription and limitation as it relates to all personal injury cases. The Commission''s final report, <i >Personal Injury Actions: Limitation a…
26 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek agreement with local authorities that volunteering activity will be recognised and supported through the inclusion of a targeted local outcome under national outcome 11 in single outcome agreements between local authorities and the Scottish Government.
Answer · Jim Mather: It is for each Community Planning Partnership (CPP) to derive its local outcomes which should be drawn from an integrated profile of the social, economic and environmental conditions of the area concerned. In reaching agreement with CPPs on their Single Outco…
13 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional funding is being made available to promote walking and walking tourism during Homecoming Scotland 2009.
Answer · Jim Mather: There is no dedicated additional funding for the promotion of walking during the Homecoming Year, however, walking is already heavily promoted by VisitScotland across a wide range of marketing activities and walking features within the Homecoming programme wi…
13 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it proposes that local authorities measure success in meeting national indicator 37 to increase the proportion of adults making one or more visits to the outdoors per week.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Single outcome agreements between the Scottish Government and each local authority set out how the authority''s activities will contribute to delivery of the national outcomes and indicators included in the National Performance Framework. The Scottish Recreat…
13 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional funding is being made available to ensure a legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Answer · Shona Robison: We believe that by using the catalyst of the games, we can get more out of existing resources to deliver a legacy. In shaping our legacy ideas with our wide range of delivery partners, we are being imaginative in how we can use the games to lend impetus to ex…
13 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of ministerial journeys is made on foot or by public transport.
Answer · John Swinney: The information sought could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p> <p >However, ministers have used public transport and have walked to and from events in recent months and plan to do so in future, when appropriate opportunities present themselves. …