Parliamentary questions
Fergus Ewing
2,894 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
20 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19934 by Lewis MacDonald on 19 December 2001, whether any default notices have been issued to BEAR (Scotland) Ltd; if so, whether it will give details of each such notice and place copies of them in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, and whe…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Default notices have been issued to BEAR Scotland Ltd in respect of management and operational issues relating to trunk roads. Default notices may impinge on contractual and commercial obligations. Consequently it would not be appropriate to place them in the…
20 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the purpose is of section 9 (2) (a) of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill; what consultation there has been with the Scottish Outdoor Recreation Network, the Ramblers Association and any other interested groups in connection with this provision; whether there was adequate consultation i…
Answer · Ross Finnie: The draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill was the subject of extensive consultation with a wide range of interests in the course of 2001. <P>I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21336 on 17 January 2002, concerning the purpose of Section 9 (2)(a…
20 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what investigations it has made into the importance to the rural economy of the continuation of commercial businesses that depend and rely on access to land, such as instructors and guides for rambling, mountaineering or other outdoor pursuits; whether exclusion from access rights under t…
Answer · Ross Finnie: We recognise the important contribution made by commercial businesses based on outdoor activities to the Scottish economy as a whole and the rural economy in particular. There is no reason why such businesses should not continue to operate as at present follo…
18 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to his answer to question S1W-20307 on 12 December 2001, when, or within what timescale, Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd should have provided a Performance Bond; what specific obligations the bond was to cover; what attempts were made to secure compliance with the contra…
Answer · David Steel: The contract with Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd specified that a Performance Bond should be provided within 10 working days of the contract being completed as a deed. The contract was signed on 1 August 2001 and the Performance Bond was therefore r…
13 Dec 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-20306 on 7 December 2001, whether any amounts from the five payments that were made to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd were in respect of work carried out by sub-contractors of Flour City and what the nature of any such work was.
Answer · David Steel: The payments made by the Scottish Parliament to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd related to work performed in compliance with the contract between those two parties. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that the Parliament is not …
13 Dec 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-20306 on 7 December 2001, whether copies of the invoices in respect of each of the five payments will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.
Answer · David Steel: The Parliament has received legal advice that the documents requested should not be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre while the SPCB's rights and entitlements are still being evaluated, as they may form part of the productions in any litiga…
13 Dec 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-19154 on 14 November 2001, on what date Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd was required to submit a performance bond; who was responsible for ensuring that Flour City fulfilled that obligation; what steps were taken to seek performance of that o…
Answer · David Steel: The Project's construction manager, Bovis Lend Lease Ltd, actively pursued a performance bond from Flour City Architectural Metals (FCAM) (UK) Ltd, during the period April-July 2001, in anticipation of the full Trade Contract being concluded. Once in place ho…
13 Dec 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer which business address in the United Kingdom Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd used in their dealings in connection with the MSP building cladding contract and whether they used, indicated that they used or possessed any business address in Edinburgh.
Answer · David Steel: The initial business address provided for Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd was "29<SUP>th</SUP> Floor, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London EH14 5DY". The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has further confirmed that the company informed the Sco…
13 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to his answers to questions S1W-20206 and S1W-20210 on 6 December 2001, which of the sub-contractors of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd (a) received payment of their accounts in full, (b) received part-payment of their accounts and (c) received no payment of their accoun…
Answer · David Steel: The position of sub-contractors to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd is a matter for the appointed receiver, D J Manning, Bo'ness, West Lothian.
11 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to amend the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 so that licensed premises and the licensee are covered by separate three-year licences.
Answer · Jim Wallace: We have put in place an independent committee, led by Sheriff Principal Nicholson, to carry out a fundamental review of Scotland's liquor licensing law and practice. The committee has received submissions on this issue. The committee is expected to report ear…
11 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether its position is that local authority licensing boards should have the power to impose a ban on drinking in public designated areas or streets.
Answer · Jim Wallace: We have no plans at present to amend the provisions in the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 which provides local authorities with general powers to introduce bylaws which, for example, may ban drinking in public designated areas or streets.
11 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage the provision of training for members of local authority licensing boards.
Answer · Jim Wallace: We shall consider any recommendations the Nicholson Committee might make in this regard.
11 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many elderly people in the Highland Council area have been unable to receive free NHS dental treatment in the past 12 months because of a lack of dental surgeons.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: This information is not held centrally. We are aware that there are access problems to NHS dentistry in Highland and will be meeting the Primary Care Trust to discuss the situation.
11 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications have been made to date for free central heating installation in the Highland Council area under its central heating installation programme; how many of these applications have been processed; how many installations have been carried out, and how many have been refus…
Answer · Iain Gray: There have been 255 applications from the relevant postcode area. 170 of these are eligible and are to receive their package of measures shortly. Another 46 applications are to be assessed. No applications for the Central Heating Programme are rejected on gro…
7 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why applicants for university places are asked to disclose their parents' occupation and what discussions it has had with universities on this issue.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: The content of the application forms is a matter for the universities themselves and the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), the body through which all applications for university places are routed. The UCAS application form includes a questi…
7 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the setting of a non-domestic rate of 47.8% for 2002-03 will place Scottish businesses at any competitive disadvantage to businesses in England and Wales and how the Scottish rate compares with the rates proposed for (a) England and (b) Wales in 2002-03.
Answer · Andy Kerr: No. We propose to increase the Scottish poundage rate by 1.7% to 47.8p for 2002-03 in line with the retail price index. The poundage rate in England and Wales will also increase by the same amount to 43.7p and 43.3p respectively.<P>Rates bills are a product o…
7 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will have any further discussions with Her Majesty's Government regarding amounts to be distributed to members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes or their dependants and any amounts from those schemes to be paid to Her Majesty's Government and/or the Inland Revenue.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: As I announced in the Parliament on 29 November, Scottish ministers have secured for distribution, to former members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes, an additional £18 million by agreement with Treasury Ministers. This means that up to £118 mi…
7 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has discretion under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information to place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre any correspondence passing between it and the trustees of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive has discretion under the <I>Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information</I> not to release information which would harm the frankness and candour of discussion and advice or where any information was given in confidence.
7 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish any correspondence between it and the trustees of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes and, if it will not, under which provision of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information a decision not to publish any such correspondence would be …
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: No. It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Executive to disclose information which would harm the frankness and candour of discussion and advice given in confidence including between the Executive and the Scottish Transport Group and the Trustees of the…
7 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether trustees of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes have the discretion to distribute sums to members or their dependants in addition to the sums that they currently propose to distribute.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The administration of the Scottish Transport Group (STG) pension schemes and the securing of benefits under the schemes are entirely matters for the trustees of the scheme. On wind-up of the STG pension schemes, and the dissolution of the Scottish Transport G…
6 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown of the #18 million to be distributed to members under the Scottish Transport Group pension Scheme and how much of this amount derives from the (a) reduction in tax from 40% to 35% and (b) increase in the value of the surplus from 31 March 2000 to 31 March…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The additional £18 million secured by Scottish ministers for distribution to former members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes represents the estimated increase in the surplus of the schemes to 31 March 2001 of some £8 million; the remainder of t…
6 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, or plans to make, to the board of management at Caledonian MacBrayne in relation to the current industrial dispute in the Clyde division, in particular to ascertain whether they have considered making any economies to their management operations, structu…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I have no plans to make a statement on matters relating to the general management of Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd.<P>Scottish Executive officials kept in close touch with the company throughout the recent industrial dispute on the Clyde with the objective of ensu…
6 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will introduce to put into effect the conclusions reached in paragraphs 78 and 88 of the Stage 1 Report by the Rural Development Committee on the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Allan Wilson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20727.
6 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will implement a policy based on the conclusions reached in paragraphs 78 and 88 of the Stage 1 Report by the Rural Development Committee on the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The conclusions reached by the Rural Development Committee recorded in these paragraphs in the Stage 1 Report relate to the use of terriers underground and the activities of the Scottish Hill Packs. The Executive neither propose to implement a policy nor intr…
6 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that any amendments it intends to bring forward to the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill for Stage 3 will be lodged as soon as possible to allow all interested parties and groups time to consider them, to consult with their MSPs and to contribute to any con…
Answer · Allan Wilson: Yes. We are considering the Bill as amended at Stage 2 and confirm that we will bring forward any Executive amendments as soon as we can.
6 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will not afford any assistance to MSPs, in particular with the drafting of amendments, in respect of Stage 3 of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Generally, the Executive does not provide assistance to MSPs in respect of the drafting of amendments on Private Members Bills. In this instance, the Executive is providing limited assistance on technical matters. All MSPs are free to seek assistance from the…
6 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any amendments which it may bring forward for Stage 3 of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill will deal solely with technical matters and, if not, what the scope of any amendments will be.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Executive remain neutral in relation to the policy of this Bill except where it cuts across Executive policy, has a financial implication for the Executive or is deemed to be unworkable in law. On consideration of the Bill, as amended at Stage 2, I can co…
5 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet representatives of the Scottish Hill Packs Association to discuss the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill prior to the Stage 3 debate on the Bill.
Answer · Allan Wilson: I have no plans to meet with the Scottish Hill Packs Association, nor have I been asked by them to do so.
5 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received a request from the Scottish Gamekeepers Association for a meeting with the Minister for Environment and Rural Development to discuss the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill prior to the Stage 3 debate on the Bill, and, if so, whether the minister will grant …
Answer · Allan Wilson: A request from the Scottish Gamekeepers Association for a meeting with officials was made in November and that meeting took place on 13 December. The association subsequently asked whether I could attend that meeting also but other engagements prevented me fr…
3 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its news release SE4388/2001 of 21 November 2001, when it expects the first licenses to be issued for lamb exports from (a) Dumfries and Galloway and (b) the Scottish Borders.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The legislation permitting the slaughter of lambs from approved slaughter premises in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders was introduced on 3 December. Licences for movements to slaughter were subsequently issued that day.<P>The first export health…