Parliamentary questions
Fergus Ewing
2,894 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
4 Feb 2003 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-25404 on 3 May 2002 and in the light of the appointment of the Scottish Information Commissioner, whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) will now make a voluntary disclosure to the Commissioner in respect of information that has been…
Answer · David Steel: The Parliament's position on the disclosure of commercially confidential has not changed following the appointment of the Scottish Information Commissioner and remains as set out in my answer of 19 September 2000 to question S1W-9469. When the Freedom of Info…
4 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many orders were (a) sought and (b) granted under (i) section 1(1) and (ii) section 1(2) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1940 and how many such orders related to disputes regarding agricultural holdings in each case in each year since the act came into forc…
Answer · Ross Finnie: The number of applications for civil imprisonment relating to decrees <I>ad factum praestandum</I> in the years 1979 to 2001 were as follows:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=217><TR><TD WIDTH="26%" VALIGN="TOP"><P>Year</TD><TD WIDTH="74%" VALIG…
4 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will transfer all cases relating to agricultural holdings disputes within the jurisdiction of the sheriff courts to the Scottish Land Court and, in particular, whether it will transfer jurisdiction of such matters in relation to section 1 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provis…
Answer · Ross Finnie: Sections 59 and 62 of the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Bill provide that the Scottish Land Court shall have jurisdiction for all disputes between a tenant and a landlord relating to an agricultural holding that arise in future. The Land Court will be able…
4 Feb 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive into which category of care service, as set out in the draft statutory instrument attached as appendix A to The Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 - Regulation of Care Services by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care: Proposals for Maximum Fees to be set by Scottish Mini…
Answer · Frank McAveety: It is for the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care (the Care Commission) to determine which of the definitions in the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 apply to any particular service. The Care Commission will take into account the service's st…
30 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-33364 by Ross Finnie on 29 January 2003, whether other MSPs for the area were given notice of these meetings and offered an opportunity to attend.
Answer · Ross Finnie: No. The Executive will advise MSPs when a minister intends visiting their area. However, MSPs are not routinely advised or invited when a minister meets other MSPs in private to discuss a subject affecting their area. The arrangements for meetings organised b…
29 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any schools and hospitals in the area of the new Parliament building at Holyrood should be bomb proofed to the same standards as the new Parliament building and what the reasons are for the position on this matter.
Answer · Andy Kerr: This is a matter for the education and health authorities, and the police. I understand that Lothian and Borders Police are giving active consideration to the need for additional security measures in the area surrounding the Parliament.
29 Jan 2003 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer what the total cost of bomb proofing in relation to the Holyrood project has been, broken down by works package; what the original estimate of this cost was in respect of each package; whether any provision for bomb proofing was made in each contract when it was awarded and, if so, whethe…
Answer · David Steel: The Corporate Body has noted that these 36 questions are in addition to the 113 the member has already asked about the Holyrood Project. Accordingly, I shall write at length to the member in due course, placing a copy in SPICe.<I><P>The following is a further…
29 Jan 2003 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, with regard to paragraph 17 of The 2001/02 Audit of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body by the Auditor General for Scotland, whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will give an up-to-date estimate of the total direct additional costs arising after termination of the contr…
Answer · David Steel: The Corporate Body has noted that these 36 questions are in addition to the 113 the member has already asked about the Holyrood Project. Accordingly, I shall write at length to the member in due course, placing a copy in SPICe.<I><P>The following is a further…
29 Jan 2003 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer when the management team of the Holyrood project, or any of its members, first (a) became aware of the contents of the accounts of Flour City International Inc in respect of the quarter ending 31 July 2001 and (b) communicated to (i) the Holyrood Progress Group and (ii) the Scottish Parli…
Answer · David Steel: The Holyrood Project Team was never made aware of the accounts of Flour City International for the quarter ending 31 July 2001, and consequently no information about these has been communicated to either the Holyrood Progress Group or the Scottish Parliamenta…
29 Jan 2003 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-26072 on 30 May 2002, whether, prior to the award of the second interim contract to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd (FCAM) in January 2001, the (a) design team, (b) architects, (c) cost consultant, (d) structural engineers and (e) service eng…
Answer · David Steel: The Corporate Body has noted that these 36 questions are in addition to the 113 the member has already asked about the Holyrood Project. Accordingly, I shall write at length to the member in due course, placing a copy in SPICe.<I><P>The following is a further…
29 Jan 2003 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-26071 on 30 May 2002, whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will now state which of the companies on the short leet (a) did not submit a tender bid and (b) submitted a bid that did not comply with the tender documentation, and why each suc…
Answer · David Steel: The Corporate Body has noted that these 36 questions are in addition to the 113 the member has already asked about the Holyrood Project. Accordingly, I shall write at length to the member in due course, placing a copy in SPICe.<I><P>The following is a further…
29 Jan 2003 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer whether Shepherd and Wedderburn WS has been invited to provide legal advice on whether any or all of the losses relating to Flour City International Inc can be recovered from (a) the Construction Manager or (b) any other member of the Holyrood Project Team.
Answer · David Steel: The Corporate Body has noted that these 36 questions are in addition to the 113 the member has already asked about the Holyrood Project. Accordingly, I shall write at length to the member in due course, placing a copy in SPICe.<I><P>The following is a further…
29 Jan 2003 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-29131 on 26 September 2002, when Shepherd and Wedderburn WS was first invited to provide legal advice on prospects of recovery of losses from Flour City International Inc and on what date, or dates, advice was provided by Shepherd and Wedderburn WS on…
Answer · David Steel: The Corporate Body has noted that these 36 questions are in addition to the 113 the member has already asked about the Holyrood Project. Accordingly, I shall write at length to the member in due course, placing a copy in SPICe.<I><P>The following is a further…
29 Jan 2003 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-29129 on 26 September 2002, whether the legal advice referred to is still applicable and how disclosure of the documents identified could prejudice such action.
Answer · David Steel: The Corporate Body has noted that these 36 questions are in addition to the 113 the member has already asked about the Holyrood Project. Accordingly, I shall write at length to the member in due course, placing a copy in SPICe.<I><P>The following is a further…
29 Jan 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether membership of area tourist boards should not be made compulsory for tourist businesses.
Answer · Mike Watson: The review of area tourist boards is still under way and the outcome will be announced in due course; this will include the relationship between boards and tourist businesses in the area.
28 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-30353 by Dr Elaine Murray on 24 October 2002, on what date the final year of the three-year funding commitment to the teacher release scheme will end; when sportscotland will take a decision about reviewing the scheme; whether there has been any dela…
Answer · Elaine Murray: The three-year funding commitment will end on 31 March 2003. As I have said previously, <B>sport</B>scotland is currently reviewing the scheme and a decision is expected following its council meeting in March.<P>£150,000 was committed to this scheme and the i…
27 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Land Court will have any power under the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Bill to be arbiter of consent similar to that under section 1(5) of the Lands Tribunal Act 1949.
Answer · Ross Finnie: In their report on <I>Jurisdictions under the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Acts</I> (Scot Law Com No 178), upon which Part 7 of the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Bill is based, the Scottish Law Commission recommended that the Land Court be given power …
27 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be a power of remit between the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland under the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Ross Finnie: It is our intention that the jurisdiction of the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland under the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Bill will be entirely distinct. They will not overlap. We have tabled an amendment to the bill which would give…
27 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Land Court will have the required number of members necessary to perform the functions that will be conferred upon it under the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Bill; and whether it will remove the maximum age limit at which existing members must vacate office, and wh…
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive has always provided the Scottish Land Court with the staffing resources it requires. We envisage no difficulty about continuing to do that in future.<P>We have no intention of removing the maximum age limit at which existing members must vacate …
27 Jan 2003 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer what the installation cost was of each window in the MSP block west elevation of the new Parliament building at Holyrood under the (a) Flour City contract and (b) current contract.
Answer · David Steel: It is not possible to provide window installation costs only, as both contracts in question stipulated supply and installation. The Convener of the Holyrood Project Team has informed me that different models of bay windows are involved but, on average, the co…
27 Jan 2003 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer whether the windows installed in the MSP block west elevation of the new Parliament building at Holyrood are watertight.
Answer · David Steel: Yes.
22 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W32091 by Ross Finnie on 7 January 2003, whether any representatives of the fishing industry were present at any of the meetings specified and, if so, which representatives were present and at which meetings.
Answer · Ross Finnie: No industry representatives were present at the meetings on 26 November and 12 December. Industry representatives were present at the meetings on 11 November, 14 November and 2 December. However, these meetings were organised by the North East of Scotland Fis…
21 Jan 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-32954 by Ms Margaret Curran on 20 January 2003, when the Sociable Neighbourhood National Co-ordinator completed the audit of local authorities and their strategies to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Answer · Margaret Curran: Audits of the 32 local authorities took place between March and November 2001. Individual reports and recommendations were made to each local authority by the Sociable Neighbourhood National Co-ordinator. A report distilling the information from all 32 audits…
8 Jan 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the medication of the water supply with fluoride.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: Water fluoridation is one of the options on which views are sought in our current consultation paper <I>Towards Better Oral Health in Children</I>, and, as stated previously, the Executive is neutral on this particular issue.<P>But this consultation is not si…
23 Dec 2002 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-32047 on 11 December 2002, whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has yet seen the contents of the quarterly accounts of Flour City International Inc. for the quarter to 31 July 2002; whether these accounts have been seen by the Holyrood Pr…
Answer · David Steel: No, neither the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body nor the Holyrood Project's construction managers have seen the quarterly accounts of Flour City International for the financial period to 31 July 2002.
23 Dec 2002 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-32000 on 10 December 2002, what the names were of those present at the meeting on 4 September 2001 with Bovis Lend Lease (Scotland) Ltd and representatives of Flour City International Inc. and Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd, whether there we…
Answer · David Steel: Those attending the meeting on 4 September 2001 were present in their capacity as representatives of their respective organisations, not as individuals in their own right. Any agreed actions or decisions are made on behalf of the organisations they represent…
20 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-24133 by Dr Elaine Murray on 28 March 2002, whether the annual Scottish Award for the best publicly-funded building will be awarded in 2003; if so, what consultation there will be regarding the award and the process to be followed in relation to it, …
Answer · Elaine Murray: The introduction of the annual Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Award for Best Building in Scotland in 2002 which promotes good architecture in both private and public sectors has lessened the need for a further high profile Scottish based buildi…
20 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the cost of the Holyrood project will continue to be met from the Scottish block grant; what steps it can take, or is taking, to minimise or control the impact of the allocation of that expenditure; whether it intends to appoint a member to the Holyrood Progress Group, and whether…
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: Funding for the project is provided to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB), is hypothecated from Scotland's total budget and is not allocated from the Executive. The Holyrood Progress Group (HPG) was established by the SPCB as its principal advis…
20 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2748 by Mr Tom McCabe on 11 January 2001, whether it is still its position that there is no need to make representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding disciplinary action against the Permanent Secretary in relation to any adverse impact of hi…
Answer · Andy Kerr: The position remains the same.
19 Dec 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the number of people suffering from impingement syndrome of the shoulder and whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government about the recognition of the syndrome as a prescribed disease for the purpose of industrial injuries disablement benef…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Information derived from the Continuous Morbidity Recording (CMR) system based on a sample of Scottish General Practices estimates that approximately 500 individuals were seen in respect of impingement syndrome of the shoulder in the year ending December 2001…