Parliamentary questions
Fergus Ewing
2,894 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
3 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18626 by Lewis MacDonald on 28 November, whether the information provided was available to it before 18 December 2000 and, if so, on what date and whether the ex-gratia payments to Scottish Transport Group pension schemes members that it announced on…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I understand that the Report and Accounts of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes for the year ended 31 March 2000 were published by the trustees prior to 18 December 2000. Publication and timing of publication is a matter for the trustees.<P>It would…
3 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18626 by Lewis MacDonald on 28 November 2001, on what date the value of each Scottish Transport Group pension fund at 31 March 2001 will be available; what the estimate is of the value of each fund at 31 March 2002, and whether any increases in the v…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Publication and timing of publication of the Report and Accounts for both Scottish Transport Group pension schemes, which detail the scheme balances, are matters for the Trustees. The Scottish Transport Group Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2001, which w…
28 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) raven, (b) bu''ard and (c) dotterell population was in each of the past five years and what the predicted populations are for each of the next five years.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The information sought is either unavailable or not available in the requested format, and is not held centrally by the Executive. The following estimates and commentary have been supplied by Scottish Natural Heritage or derived from published sources.<U><P>R…
28 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what methods Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) proposes to use to eradicate mink from the Western Isles; what alternative methods were considered; why these alternatives were discounted; whether the methods chosen will be adequate and, if not, what plans it has to enhance them; how it will …
Answer · Allan Wilson: This is a matter for Scottish Natural Heritage and I have asked that they respond to you accordingly.
26 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any legal rulings in respect of double taxation which are applicable to the Scottish Bus Group employee pension fund.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive is not aware of any such ruling.
26 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what legal advice it has obtained in relation to the distribution of the Scottish Bus Group employee pension funds; whether these funds are liable to public general taxation and, if so, under what income and corporation taxes statutes or other statutory provisions; whether ex gratia paym…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: It would be inappropriate for the Executive to provide information which would harm the frankness and candour of discussion and advice, including between the Scottish Executive and legal advisers.<P>I can confirm that UK tax law applies on the wind-up of occu…
23 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the range of locations currently covered by the definition of tourist attractions for the purposes of the Trunk Road and Motorway Tourist Signposting Policy; whether it has any plans to review this matter; in particular, why golf courses are not considered to be to…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: A tourist attraction/facility is broadly defined, for signing purposes, as being a permanently established destination or facility that attracts or is used by visitors to an area and which is open to the public without prior booking during its normal working …
23 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the conditions of consent granted for the planting of genetically modified oilseed rape at Roskill Farm, Munlochy, Ross-shire included any requirement that the genetically modified proportion of the crop be a quarter of the si'e of the control crop; what the reasons are for the po…
Answer · Ross Finnie: The crop of genetically modified oilseed rape comprises just under 15 hectares of the 40 hectare field with the conventional control crop growing in the remainder of the field. The consent which applies to releases of this particular genetically modified crop…
23 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the value of the former Scottish Bus Group pension schemes was at 31 March 2001.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: During the debate on motion S1M-2486 on 29 November 2001, I announced that the sum receivable by Scottish Bus Group Limited in respect of pension scheme surpluses at 31 March 2001, after deduction of tax at 35%, is estimated at £168 million.<P>The Scottish Tr…
23 Nov 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-19252 on 14 November 2001, what assurances were provided, by whom and on what dates; whether the documentation regarding these assurances will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre; whether the "recovery programmes" and the "sample d…
Answer · David Steel: The Convenor of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that Flour City Architectural Metals (FCAM) (UK) Ltd's Project Manager provided assurances over design information dates to our Construction Manager, on 17 May 2001. FCAM (UK) Ltd also presented a reco…
23 Nov 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer whether an independent inquiry will be carried out into the appointment of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd.
Answer · David Steel: I am aware of no grounds for, or plans to carry out, an independent inquiry into the appointment of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd.
23 Nov 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-19252 on 14 November 2001, what concerns were expressed and by whom, and in particular what matter the Design Team expressed concern about in May 2001.
Answer · David Steel: Concerns were expressed by EMBT/RMJM in May 2001 that receipt of certain technical information from Flour City was "considerably overdue".
23 Nov 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-19154 on 14 November 2001, what the name was of the parent company who provided the guarantee; whether the guarantee was to have been given by a particular time or date; what obligations the guarantee covered, and whether the guarantee included a prov…
Answer · David Steel: The Parent Company Guarantee was provided by Flour City International Inc and was requested due to the failure of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd to provide a Performance Bond. <P>No deadline was given for the provision of a Parent Company Guarantee.…
23 Nov 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer whether the sum of #854,000 paid to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd in respect of the work undertaken on design and specialist cladding services was paid in one or more payments, and on what date or dates the payments were made.
Answer · David Steel: The amount paid to Flour City Architectural Metals involved five separate payments. The dates and amounts (excl. VAT) are given below.<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=198><TR><TD WIDTH="57%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P ALIGN="JUS…
23 Nov 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to the answer to question S1W-19154 on 14 November 2001, whether a claim under the guarantee provided by the parent company has been made or will be made.
Answer · David Steel: A claim will be considered once the extent of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd's liability becomes clear.
23 Nov 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer who the receiver for Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd is and whether that receiver has also been appointed as receiver in respect of the parent company of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd; what contact the Parliament or principal contractor for the Holyrood Project has had…
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…
23 Nov 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer whether the tender document submitted by Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd 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…
23 Nov 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer whether accelerated weathering tests will be carried out on the laminated wood and completed window units which were to be supplied by Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd; which company will conduct any such tests, and whether any unsatisfactory test result will reduce the sum paid t…
Answer · David Steel: Following liquidation, Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd will not supply laminated wood and completed window units for the new Parliament building. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that the successful supplier of the windows el…
23 Nov 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-18872 on 12 October 2001, whether all the timber supplied by the businesses named in that answer has been received and whether all this timber was supplied to the required quality and specification.
Answer · David Steel: The timber is being held by the suppliers ready for collection for kiln drying. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has informed me that the timber was procured in accordance with the specification.
23 Nov 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-19315 on 26 October 2001, whether a copy of the valuation made by the District Valuer showing how the land currently being developed in the landscape scheme associated with the new Parliament building at Holyrood was valued will be placed in the Scott…
Answer · David Steel: Arrangements are being made to place the District Valuer's report in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre shortly.
23 Nov 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-18874 on 12 October 2001, (a) what the breakdown of costs was for the work undertaken on (i) design and (ii) specialist cladding services which amounted to #854,000 in total and (b) whether all invoices and documents relating to the work undertaken wi…
Answer · David Steel: A full analysis of the payments made to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd, for the design and specialist cladding for the MSP block, has been undertaken. The following detailed breakdown can now be provided:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WID…
23 Nov 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer whether a copy of the contract with Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd 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…
22 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used in assessing whether a speed limit should be 40, 30 or 20 miles per hour and what criteria are used when considering any requests or representations for reductions in speed limits.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The criteria used by the Scottish Executive in determining speed limits on trunk roads are set out in Scottish Office Industry Department Circular 1/93, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17782). Requests and repre…
22 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which community councils have made requests or representations to it to reduce local speed limits that have not resulted in any reduction in speed limits on roads in their areas.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20288.
22 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many requests it has received, or representations have been made to it, by or on behalf of community councils for reductions in local speed limits and how many such requests or representations have resulted in any reduction in speed limits in each of the years (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The information requested cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
16 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the North of Scotland Water Authority has complied with Annex B, Flood Risk Assessment: A Generic Format and Standard, in particular paragraphs 2, 3, 5 and 10, of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's document Planning Authority Protocol Development at Risk of Flooding: Ad…
Answer · Ross Finnie: In the first instance, this is a matter for the North of Scotland Water Authority (NoSWA) to resolve with the planning authorities and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency as part of the planning process. I understand that you have written to NoSWA's Ch…
16 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether a valuation of the land occupied by Drummond School, Inverness, has been obtained by the relevant local authority, or any other public body or agency, and if so whether a copy of the valuation will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: Any arrangements concerning the valuation of the land occupied by Drummond School, Inverness would be for The Highland Council as the education authority responsible for the management of the school. Such arrangements do not involve the Scottish Executive or …
14 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which provisions of its contract with BEAR Scotland Ltd that are currently undisclosed will require to be made public on request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill has yet to complete its passage through the Parliament. In keeping with the approach under other statutory Freedom of Information regimes, it is envisaged that all requests for information would be considered on a ca…
14 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the contract with BEAR Scotland Ltd need to be reviewed and what penalties the Executive would incur should it decide to cancel the contract on the grounds of non-performance by BEAR Scotland Ltd.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The contracts with BEAR Scotland Ltd have been awarded for a period of five to seven years and do not need to be reviewed. The contractual performance of the Operating Companies on all four contracts is monitored on an on-going basis by Halcrow in association…
14 Nov 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether BEAR Scotland Ltd have been in breach of their obligations under their contract in respect of the provision of clearing and gritting of trunk roads in the Highlands, in particular on the 8 and 9 November 2001.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: BEAR's contract is complex and detailed and minor breaches will inevitably occur. There are set procedures for rectification of more significant breaches. The first step of this procedure is to issue a default notice to BEAR to ensure the level of service is …