Hugh Henry

29 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland decides to separate from the UK, who would negotiate the terms of the settlement with the rest of the UK on the country’s behalf.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: See the answer to question 543 on page 552 of the Scottish Government publication Scotland’s Future: Your Guide to an Independent Scotland (available at scotreferendum.com).

29 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, whether as part of the so-called Edinburgh agreement, the UK Government made a commitment to ensure that Scotland would not have to reapply for EU membership if it decided to separate from the rest of the UK.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Under clause 30 of the Edinburgh Agreement, the United Kingdom and Scottish Governments are committed to continue to work together constructively in the light of the outcome of the referendum in the best interests of the people of Scotland and of the rest of …

27 Nov 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guarantees it can give that the cost of postal services to and from a Scotland separated from the rest of the UK will not have an adverse impact on rural development.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Given the threat to postal services is a result of being under Westminster control, as we have set out in the white paper, this Scottish Government plans to bring the Royal Mail back into public ownership in an independent Scotland. With independence, the reg…

25 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-18157 by Fergus Ewing on 22 November 2013, whether this means that the Scottish Government would not be able to place civilian shipbuilding orders with the Govan and Scotstoun yards but would have to put such orders out to competitive tender.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-18157 on 22 November 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamenta…

25 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-18155 by Fergus Ewing on 8 November 2013, whether BAE Systems has indicated what it would do if Scotland decided to separate from the rest of the UK.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: BAE Systems have made it clear that its recent announcement on naval restructuring was made on commercial grounds. The company has said the Clyde would be the most effective location for the manufacture of the future Type 26 ships.

25 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland decides to separate from the rest of the UK, who will (a) define and (b) establish a sterling zone.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-18159 on 19 November 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamenta…

25 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland decides to separate from the rest of the UK, who will establish a formal monetary union.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-18159 on 19 November 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamenta…

25 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland decides to separate from the rest of the UK, whether a formal monetary union can be established without the agreement of the rest of the UK.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-18159 on 19 November 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamenta…

25 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-18162 by John Swinney on 19 November 2013, what discussions it has had with the (a) UK Government and (b) Bank of England on establishing a formal monetary union.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-18544 on 9 December 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentar…

25 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-18161 by John Swinney on 19 November 2013, what its position is in the event that no agreement on the use of sterling can be reached.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-18159 on 19 November 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamenta…

25 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what dates it met the (a) UK Government and (b) Bank of England and discussed the issue of lender of last resort.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-18544 on 9 December 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentar…

25 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-18160 by John Swinney on 19 November 2013, if Scotland decides to separate from the rest of the UK and no agreement is reached on the use of sterling, whether the Bank of England will remain as lender of last resort.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-18160 on 19 November 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamenta…

25 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what dates it met the (a) UK Government and (b) Bank of England and discussed the continued use of sterling if Scotland decides to separate from the rest of the UK.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has proposed discussions with the UK Government to explore a joint approach to issues to be resolved after the referendum, in line with the clear recommendation of the Electoral Commission and with the spirit of the Edinburgh Agreement…

25 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-18159 by John Swinney on 19 November 2013, if Scotland decides to separate from the rest of the UK and no agreement can be reached with the UK Government on the use of sterling, whether it will (a) continue to use sterling, (b) adopt the euro or (c)…

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-18159 on 19 November 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamenta…

19 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether ministers can override the decision of the chief constable about the number of police officers deployed on the beat.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Scottish Ministers cannot override the decision of the chief constable about the number of police officers deployed on the beat. The Police in Scotland operate independently of Scottish Ministers. The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 establishes tha…

19 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-18164 by Kenny MacAskill on 18 November 2013, whether it has direct input to the decision on the number of police officers deployed on the beat at any one time.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: As I stated in my previous answer, the deployment of police officers is an operational matter for Police Scotland. The Scottish Government has no direct input into the deployment of police officers on the beat.

13 Nov 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reported concerns of teachers regarding their workload in relation to the new national exams.

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the issue of the number of police officers deployed on the beat is its responsibility or whether it is an operational matter for the chief constable of Police Scotland.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government is committed to protecting and supporting frontline services. We are maintaining a visible police presence through the manifesto commitment to provide 1,000 extra police officers on the beat. Whilst the deployment of officers is an op…

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has the (a) technical ability and (b) capacity to raise additional income tax in Scotland and what the reason is for its position on this matter.

Answer · John Swinney: The information requested is given in a letter on the Scottish Variable Rate, sent to the Convener of the Finance Committee on 21 September 2011. A copy of this letter is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 53229).

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what organisation will set Scottish interest rates if Scotland decides to separate from rest of the UK.

Answer · John Swinney: Under a formal monetary union, interest rates would be set as they are now by the independent central bank acting for the whole of the Sterling Zone in order to ensure price stability.

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland decides to separate from the rest of the UK and no agreement can be reached on the Bank of England being the lender of last resort, whether it will establish its own lender of last resort.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-18160 on 19 November 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, The search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamenta…

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland decides to separate from the rest of the UK and no agreement is reached on the use of sterling, whether the Bank of England will remain as lender of last resort and whether agreement has been reached on this issue.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government’s proposal, following the recommendation of the Fiscal Commission Working Group is to maintain the Bank of England as our central bank as part of a formal monetary union - the Bank of England is currently Scotland’s central bank, just …

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland decides to separate from the rest of the UK and no agreement is reached with the UK Government on the use of sterling, whether it will (a) continue to use sterling, (b) adopt the euro or (c) issue its own currency.

Answer · John Swinney: The Fiscal Commission Working Group considered four currency options in detail, and concluded that a formal monetary union, where both the rest of the UK and Scotland continue to use Sterling, is in the overwhelming economic interests of both Scotland and the…

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what military or naval contracts can be guaranteed to be placed with the Govan and Scotstoun yards if Scotland decides to separate from the rest of the UK.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: As stated in my answer to S4W-18156 on 22 November 2013 an independent Scotland will require significant naval capabilities. Where it is appropriate to protect our essential security requirements we will procure from within Scotland. All answers to written p…

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will be able to place civilian shipbuilding orders with the Govan and Scotstoun yards without putting them out to tender if Scotland decides to separate from the rest of the UK.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: It is our policy that an independent Scotland would be a member of the European Union. As such, we would be bound by European law in regard to procurement.

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what shipbuilding orders it can guarantee will be placed with the Govan and Scotstoun yards if Scotland decides to separate from the rest of the UK.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Independence will bring new opportunities in shipbuilding, as in other areas. In his speech following the Cabinet meeting in Shetland on 25 July 2013, the First Minister set out that Scotland will require significant naval capabilities to secure its extensive…

7 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether BAE Systems has indicated whether it will keep the Govan and Scotstoun yards open if Scotland decides to separate from the rest of the UK.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: BAE Systems has stated that Glasgow would remain the most effective location for the manufacture of the future Type 26 ships. We have made clear our view that there is nothing to prevent the Type 26 frigates being built on the Clyde in an independent Scotland…

23 Oct 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many and which of the UK's public bodies would have to be replicated if Scotland decided to leave the UK.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Chapter 10 of Scotland’s Future: Your Guide to an Independent Scotland (from page 362) sets out the Scottish Government’s approach to public service delivery in an independent Scotland, including in relation to the public bodies currently acting for Scotland …

28 Aug 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-16592 by Nicola Sturgeon on 27 August 2013, whether the paper will address the issue as to who would set the level of annual increase for pensions currently paid in Scotland by the Ministry of Defence if Scotland decided to leave the UK.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government published Pensions in an Independent Scotland on 23 September 2013, which sets out the Scottish Government’s plans for pensions in an independent Scotland. The document is available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/09/…

23 Aug 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding has been provided to the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and initiatives sponsored by the SFA in each year since May 2007.

Answer · Shona Robison: sportscotland has provided significant funding for the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and initiatives sponsored by the SFA in each of the last five years to support the implementation of the sport’s development plan. The level of investment is an operati…