Parliamentary questions
Fergus Ewing
2,894 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
15 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether those "relevant authorities" as defined in schedule 1 in the Transport (Scotland) Bill, which serve parts of Scotland which are rural or predominantly rural and which choose not to use the proposed powers to make road user charges or workplace parking levies, will receive no extra…
Answer · Sarah Boyack: "Relevant authorities" as defined in schedule 1 in the Transport (Scotland) Bill are authorities which are party to a road user or workplace parking scheme made jointly with other authorities. As defined, "relevant authorities" would recei…
15 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why university status is not expected to be conferred upon the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) project for some years and what precisely the UHI project is required to do in order to attain such status.
Answer · Henry McLeish: UHI, the company promoting the University of the Highlands and Islands project, applied in December 1998 for designation of a new institution. Designation is a necessary first step for any institutions that wishes to apply for university status.<P ALIGN="JUST…
15 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of what the expenditure of #9.86 million on the University of the Highlands and Islands project has been spent on and on what the further provision of #1 million is to be spent.
Answer · Henry McLeish: Of the £9.86 million development funding provided to the University of the Highlands and Islands Project over the years 1996-97 to 1999-2000, £3.68 million has been spent on academic development, £4.12 million on information and communication technology inves…
15 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next meet Brian Duffield of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) project and what information it will seek from him regarding (a) the future of the UHI project and (b) any barriers which prevent the UHI from securing university status.
Answer · Henry McLeish: Officials wrote to UHI on 6 April setting out issues for UHI to resolve with its Academic Partners before we can reach a decision on whether to approve the application submitted on behalf of a new institution, called UHI, to be designated as a provider of hig…
13 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether as part of its work on the 2000 revaluation it is expected that the Scottish Property network will receive from each assessor an electronic copy of the valuation roll; when this information is expected to be received; whether it will publish or place in the Scottish Parliament Inf…
Answer · Jack McConnell: The Scottish Property Network expect to receive a completed electronic copy of the valuation roll from each assessor by the end of July; a summary is expected to be available in the autumn and will be placed in SPICe. The current estimate of the rateable valu…
13 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the statement made in Mr Jack McConnell's letter to me of 23 February 2000 that the "total tax income in Scotland raised from non-domestic rates will remain unchanged in real terms following the revaluation" is still accurate or whether, in the light of information about the antic…
Answer · Angus MacKay: It is accurate. The replies given to questions S1W-5176 and S1W-7769 by Jack McConnell about distributable amounts refer.
9 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the rate poundage for non-domestic rates for the year 2000-01 could have been set at 41.6 pence whilst maintaining the total income raised from non-domestic rates at the 1999-2000 level in real terms.
Answer · Jack McConnell: No. The rate poundage figure for 2000-01 of 45.8 pence was set to ensure that the total tax income from non-domestic rates, after appeals, remained unchanged in real terms as a result of the 2000 Revaluation of non-domestic rates. A paper detailing this calcu…
9 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the decision to fix a rate poundage for Scotland of 45.8 pence as opposed to 41.6 pence in England will have on (a) the manufacturing sector, (b) the tourism sector, (c) the retail sector and (d) the commercial property sector and whether this decision will be reviewed so that…
Answer · Jack McConnell: As was set out in detail in the paper that I made available on 17 January 2000 and is available in SPICe, the overall effect of the higher rate poundage in Scotland was balanced by the effect of the greater revaluation factor in England. The competitive posit…
9 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a copy of the report by the Scott Wilson Group investigating the case for closure of up to one in ten Scottish railway stations; what representations it will make with regard to the closure of these railway stations in Sc…
Answer · Sarah Boyack: This paper was an independent initiative of Scott Wilson (Rail), transport consultants. The Scottish Executive did not commission it and had no involvement in its preparation.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The closure of railways and railway stations is a reserved matter…
9 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether provisions under the Education and Training (Scotland) Bill and any proposed subordinate legislation which may be made under the Bill will allow for a pilot scheme on the operation of individual learning accounts in rural locations and, if so, whether such a pilot will be conducte…
Answer · Henry McLeish: In two pilot areas - the Lochaber and Scottish Borders local enterprise company (LEC) areas - holders of individual learning accounts (ILAs) will be able to seek financial assistance through the ILA scheme towards travel, subsistence and childcare costs. This…
9 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what opportunity for input it gave to the Parliament with respect to the setting of standards agreed between the water authorities and the Water Industry Commissioner and what opportunity the Parliament was given to specify what these standards and levels of compensation might be.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Water Industry Commissioner is consulting on his proposals for new guaranteed minimum standards for water customers. The Commissioner has discussed his proposals with the water authorities, and he now seeks views from all those with an interest before fin…
8 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5176 by Mr Jack McConnell on 31 May 2000, how it reconciles the estimate of #1,550 million to be raised in non-domestic rates in 2000-01 which is approximately #50 million more than 1999-2000, with the answer to question S1W-5177 on 31 May 2000 which…
Answer · Jack McConnell: My reply to question S1W-5177 concerned the increase in the amount of non-domestic rates income <U>distributed</U> to councils as part of their aggregate external finance for 2000-01, a composite calculation including surpluses and deficits from previous year…
8 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5176 by Mr Jack McConnell on 31 May 2000, whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a detailed analysis of the computation of the estimate of #1,550 million in respect of non-domestic rate revenue in 2000-01; whether this es…
Answer · Jack McConnell: The calculation of the estimate of non-domestic rate income used in financial planning for 2000-01 is detailed below. Estimates were made at a Scotland level, not for individual authorities. A breakdown of estimated rate revenue for 2000-01 for each local aut…
7 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that persons who live in the Highlands and Islands, or who have local knowledge of the issues and problems relating to ferry transport in the Highlands and Islands, are considered for the vacant positions on the Board of Caledonian MacBrayne.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The current vacancies for the posts of Non-Executive Director on the Board of Caledonian MacBrayne were openly advertised in accordance with the Guidance on Appointments to Public Bodies. The criteria for the posts include one, categorised as highly desirable…
7 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what will be done with the proceeds from the sale of the tourist information centres in the Highlands and Islands; whether such proceeds will be reinvested in the tourist industry, and whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a breakdown of the proceeds from the…
Answer · Henry McLeish: This is a commercial matter for HIE. Proceeds from the sale of the TICs, along with receipts from other property sales and rentals, form part of HIE's overall budget management process and is reinvested in new economic development throughout the area. The TIC…
7 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which persons were considered for appointment to membership of sportscotland and which have been appointed; of these, which came from or are associated with the Highlands and Islands and what were the reasons if none did come from or are associated with the Highlands and Islands.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: All applications for public appointments are made in confidence. The names of the individuals who applied therefore cannot be made public. Vacancies are publicised widely. All applications received are considered equally on merit under a fair, open and transp…
1 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5993 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 May 2000, whether, prior to the launching of the Code of Good Practice on rural land ownership, it will consult with the Rural Affairs Committee.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Yes. Before the Code of Good Practice on Rural Land Ownership is launched later this year, we intend to show a copy, in draft, to the Rural Affairs Committee.
1 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5993 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 May 2000, what are the "considerable difficulties" which it sees for any proposed legislation in respect of landed estates and what are the "difficulties of regulation" in ensuring any compliance.
Answer · Jim Wallace: We can see practical difficulties in several areas relating to a proposal to legislate to require non-resident and corporate owners to appoint a legally responsible local agent. For example, how to enforce requirements upon non-residents; and how to address a…
1 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints have been made to the External Complaints Adjudicator in respect of (a) Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE); (b) each local enterprise company contracted to HIE; (c) Scottish Enterprise; and (d) each local enterprise company contracted to Scottish Enterprise, specif…
Answer · Henry McLeish: In 1999-2000 the External Adjudicators for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, investigated the following complaints against the Enterprise Networks:<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">(a) One against Highlands and Islands Enterprise which was rejected.<…
1 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will specify what the new guaranteed minimum service standards for water customers across Scotland are; what are the circumstances whereby water authorities must compensate customers who receive poor service; whether the standards apply to the drinking quality of water; whether…
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Water Industry Commissioner is currently consulting on his proposals for new guaranteed minimum service standards for water customers, which cover the various circumstances listed in your question. The details of the proposals are available directly on th…
1 Jun 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release of 16 May 2000 on seal conservation and fisheries, what plans it has for measures to deal with the population of seals in Scottish waters in relation to species such as salmon where numbers are falling; whether it plans to issue any consultation paper on any …
Answer · John Home Robertson: I visited the Sea Mammal Research Unit, the statutory advisers on seals, in St. Andrews on 16 May when scientists confirmed that seal predation on salmonids in estuaries and the lower reaches of rivers is probably related to small numbers of "rogue"…
30 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to ScotRail asking it to reconsider its withdrawal of the service stop for Kingussie on the 10.10 Glasgow to Inverness service and its plans to withdraw a similar service stop for Kingussie on the 17.40 Edinburgh to Inverness service.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: All proposed timetable changes have to be presented for consideration to the Passenger Transport Executives, User Representatives, local authorities and the shadow Strategic Rail Authority before they can be adopted. This process has been applied to changes o…
24 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any Scottish Minister could allow his or her name to be associated with any particular company or businesses by authorising the use of his or her photograph on its products.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Scottish Ministers are expected to behave in accordance with the provisions of the Scottish Ministerial Code. One of the provisions is that they are expected to order their affairs so that no conflict arises or is thought to arise between their private intere…
22 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent on computers, or related equipment, for its own use since July 1999, and whether any of these purchases subsequently turned out to be unsuitable for the purposes for which they were intended, or have not yet been fully utilised.
Answer · Jack McConnell: The Scottish Executive has spent £3.13 million including VAT on computers and related equipment for use on the core Scottish Executive network since July 1999. None of these purchases has subsequently turned out to be unsuitable for the purpose for which it w…
22 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what methodology it uses in calculating the number of new businesses and whether bank statistics and VAT registration are taken into account in the calculation.
Answer · Henry McLeish: Although the Scottish Executive itself does not publish estimates for the number of new businesses in Scotland, a number of measures are used by the Executive to monitor the business birth rate in Scotland including bank statistics and VAT registration statis…
22 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the number of jobs created or preserved by each of its task forces since July 1999.
Answer · Henry McLeish: Of the eight task forces set up or continued by the Scottish Executive, only the Knowledge Economy and the Digital Scotland Task Forces have aims which include encouraging economic development. However in neither case would it be appropriate to link the activ…
22 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a detailed record of the visit to Finland by the Minister in charge of the Digital Scotland Task Force, including any outcomes resulting from the trip.
Answer · Peter Peacock: I visited Finland on 13, 14 and 15 October 1999, to see at first hand examples of the application of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to education and learning there. I combined this, in the context of the Digital Scotland initiative, with di…
22 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a progress report on the Digital Scotland Task Force.
Answer · Peter Peacock: The Digital Scotland Task Force published its report on the Internet on 22 May, and invited public comments on its recommendations. The public consultation period lasts until 30 June. The Scottish Executive will respond to the task force report as soon as pos…
22 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor which indicates that an increased incidence of entrepreneurship among the total population of a country leads to a higher level of economic growth, what measures it will take to increase the level of entrepreneurship in Scotland and whet…
Answer · Henry McLeish: We have a number of positive measures in hand to encourage and increase the level of entrepreneurship in Scotland, including initiatives targeted at school pupils. The Education for Work and Enterprise agenda covers a wide range of school-based and other acti…
22 May 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive in what ways it supports the work of Young Enterprise Scotland and what measures it will introduce to allow secondary school pupils to gain experience in business.
Answer · Henry McLeish: The Executive is highly supportive of the work of Young Enterprise Scotland in its efforts to promote enterprise in schools and support the development of "core" skills. We are particularly encouraged by the degree of private sector involvement in t…