Parliamentary questions

Fergus Ewing

2,894 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

3 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average increase in the use of air services within the Highlands and Islands has been in the last 15 years compared with the increase in air passengers to and from Scotland and what the reasons are for any difference.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Over the last 15 years, the averageincrease in air passengers in the Highlands and Islands was 0.7% per annum compared to 8.5% per annum for Scotland.The principal reasons for thedifference are the commencement of air services by no-frills carriers at …

2 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which permanent senior staff of the consultant assisting it with its review of the HITRANS proposals have worked with major international airlines as airline route planners, airline economics specialists or in similar capacities and for how long.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The consultancy company employedby the Scottish Executive is AviaSolutions. The company’s website address is <ahref="http://www.aviasolutions.co.uk/">www.aviasolutions.co.uk</a> on which thekey personnel are listed.

2 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which consultant has been assisting it with its review of the HITRANS proposals and whether it has employed any other aviation consultants on similar reviews.

2 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which consultant assisted it in assessing the routes and airlines for Route Development Fund assistance.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The consultancies which assistedin Route Development Fund assessments were AviaSolutions and York Aviation. Thewebsite addresses of the companies are:<ahref="http://www.aviasolutions.co.uk/">www.aviasolutions.co.uk</a> and <ahref="http://www.yorkaviati…

2 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many services subject to support from the Route Development Fund have been withdrawn or otherwise ceased and what these services cost the Executive.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Of the total 27 year-round routessupported since the inception of the Executive’s Route Development Fund (RDF),seven have subsequently ceased.The RDF is structured to ensurethat investment is only provided when the airline has carried passengers to and…

2 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many air services from Scottish airports initiated under the Route Development Fund scheme are still operating.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: A total of 27 year-round routeshave been supported since the inception of the Route Development Fund by the Scottish Executive. Of these routes, seven have ceased and the remaining 20 routes are continuingto operate on a year-round basis.

2 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many new air services from Scottish airports were initially subject to support from the Route Development Fund.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: A total of 27 year-round routeshave been supported by the Route Development Fund since the inception of the schemeby the Scottish Executive.

2 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage change in air passenger numbers using Kirkwall and Stornoway has been since the introduction of Sunday air services.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Passenger numbers using Kirkwall and Stornoway Airports in 2004-05were 17.7% and 26.9% respectively higher than passenger numbers in 2001-02 – theyear before Sunday services were introduced. The percentage of total passengersusing Kirkwall and Stornoway Airpo…

1 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister will reply to my letter of 3 March 2005 regarding bank accounts for employees who are not UK citizens.

Answer · Margaret Curran: Mr Tom McCabe, the Minister forFinance and Public Service Reform, replied on 13 June 2005.

26 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the review team of NHS 24 is studying complaints made about the service and what efforts it has made to make contact with those who have expressed dissatisfaction with the service.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Some members of the public have made complaints to the NHS 24 Review Team about experiences they have had with the services provided by NHS 24 and these comments have been considered by the team during its preparation of the interim report. However, if someon…

17 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide the Parliament with an opportunity to scrutinise Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on market access to port services, published by the European Commission on 13 October 2004.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: It is anticipated that the draft Directive will require lengthy debate during and beyond the forthcoming UK Presidency of the EU, and we will be prepared to consider this suggestion at an appropriate time as the UK Government’s position on the Directive evolv…

17 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with (a) interested parties and/or key stakeholders, (b) the UK Government and (c) the European Commission concerning Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on market access to port services, published by the European Commission …

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Scottish Executive officials met with their Department for Transport counterparts and representatives of the Scottish ports industry on 9 February to discuss the proposed Directive on market access to port services. The UK Government’s position on the Directi…

17 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on market access to port services, published by the European Commission on 13 October 2004, and what implications it considers there are for the delivery of port services in Scotland.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The UK Government’s position on the Directive is a reserved matter and the responsibility of the Department for Transport. The Scottish Executive will liaise closely with the DfT and the ports industry to ensure that Scottish circumstances are addressed. A nu…

17 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on establishing a freight transport strategy for Scotland.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive plans to hold a freight strategy seminar in the summer, to which key stakeholders will be invited to ensure that the needs of the freight sector are fully considered as national and regional freight transport strategies develop.

16 May 2005 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether the Construction Manager has complied in full with the provisions of paragraph 2.12 of Memorandum of Agreement between the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (acting through the Project Director and Sponsor, Holyrood Project Team) and Bovis Construction (Scot…

Answer · George Reid: The performance of the Construction Manager and other contractors will be fully considered as part of the finalisation of the Holyrood Project. It would not be possible to provide the information requested separately without disproportionate effort and cos…

16 May 2005 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether the Construction Manager has undertaken and performed its duties and functions as construction manager as specified in the trade contracts, referred to in paragraph 2.6 of Memorandum of Agreement between the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (acting through …

Answer · George Reid: The performance of the Construction Manager and other contractors will be fully considered as part of the finalisation of the Holyrood Project. It would not be possible to provide the information requested separately without disproportionate effort and cost.<…

16 May 2005 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether the Construction Manager has complied in full with the obligation under paragraph 2.3 of Memorandum of Agreement between the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (acting through the Project Director and Sponsor, Holyrood Project Team) and Bovis Construction (Sc…

16 May 2005 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it has proposed a date for the next SPCB Question Time and, if so, what that date is.

Answer · George Reid: I can confirm that the proposed date for the next SPCB Question Time is 2.15pm on Wednesday 15 June 2005.

16 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimates have been of the total deer population on the island of Rum in each year since Scottish Natural Heritage has had ownership of the island.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Monitoring of all forms of wildlife on the Rum National Nature Reserve is an operational matter for Scottish Natural Heritage.

13 May 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will conduct a survey into the value of recreational sea angling to the economy.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive, in partnership with the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group, is considering the commissioning of a report on the economic impact of sea angling.