Parliamentary questions
Jamie McGrigor
1,122 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
17 Apr 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the road equivalent tariff (RET) pilot will be extended to the service provided by Argyll Ferries and whether RET fares will apply to the service provided by Western Ferries.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Draft Ferries Plan states that we intend to rollout RET to all lifeline ferry services. Where we are not responsible for the delivery of these services we will discuss the appropriate form and timing of any roll-out with those who are, e.g. local authorit…
17 Apr 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the needs-based assessment of the Gourock to Dunoon route carried out as part of its review of ferry services.
Answer · Keith Brown: As noted in the Draft Ferries Plan, we are absolutely committed to providing a ferry service that meets the needs of users on the Gourock to Dunoon town centre to town centre route. Following a fair and open tendering process, the contract awarded in 2011 was…
17 Apr 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the reduction in fuel usage has been for the MV Finlaggan compared with the MV Isle of Arran.
Answer · Keith Brown: The MV Finlaggan has a much increased carry capacity compared to the MV Isle of Arran so any direct comparison of fuel usage would be misleading. Despite only being some 5m longer, the MV Finlaggan can carry 25% more cars, 19% more passengers and, most signif…
17 Apr 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what role it envisages a ferry regulator would perform and whether it would be responsible for guaranteeing services and fare levels if there were a debundling of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services network.
Answer · Keith Brown: As noted in the Draft Ferries Plan, published on 21 December 2011, we recognise that for services not currently provided under contract to the Scottish Government or another public body, a Ferries Regulator could regulate the pricing and provision of services…
17 Apr 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consultancy costs have been incurred in relation to the Draft Ferries Plan.
Answer · Keith Brown: The total cost for consultancy fees incurred in relation to the Draft Ferries Plan is expected to be in the region of £53,000.
17 Apr 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what additional subsidy will be provided to ferry operators as a result of the increased harbour dues to be levied by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd.
Answer · Keith Brown: Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) harbour dues were increased in line with inflation in April 2012. Under the terms of their public service contracts with the Scottish Ministers, CalMac Ferries Ltd and Argyll Ferries Ltd can receive increased subsidies in…
17 Apr 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the fares under the road equivalent tariff pilot on the Gigha, Colonsay and Islay services from October 2012 will be (a) lower than, (b) equal to or (c) higher than the unit prices of the current multi-journey tickets.
Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-06747 on 1 May 2012. 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/parliamentarybusine…
17 Apr 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether road equivalent tariff (RET) fares will apply to the Oban to Port Askaig service under the planned extension of the RET pilot scheme from October 2012.
Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-06747 on 1 May 2012. 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/parliamentarybusine…
17 Apr 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether fares under the road equivalent tariff pilot from October 2012 will be different on the Kennacraig to Port Ellen route to those on the Kennacraig to Port Askaig route.
Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-06747 on 1 May 2012. 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/parliamentarybusine…
17 Apr 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what additional annual subsidy will be required for the road equivalent tariff pilot for the Gigha, Colonsay and Islay services from October 2012.
Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-06747 on 1 May 2012. 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/parliamentarybusine…
17 Apr 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will set out the details of the planned road equivalent tariff pilot for the Gigha, Colonsay and Islay services from October 2012.
Answer · Keith Brown: We are in the process of putting arrangements in place for the road equivalent tariff pilot for the Gigha, Colonsay and Islay services, including specific details of fare levels to be applied. Details of additional annual subsidy levels required are therefore…
11 Apr 2012 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on concerns raised by residents of Islay regarding the frequency of power cuts on the island.
19 Mar 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether representatives of the local community will be informed when ministers make a decision on the proposed special area of conservation in the Sound of Barra and, if so, how.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Everyone who responded during the consultation process will receive notification of the decision in writing, as will those who participate in the development of the draft management plan for the Sound of Barra SAC proposal.
19 Mar 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when ministers will make a decision on the proposed special area of conservation in the Sound of Barra.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The timing of the final decision on the proposed special area of conservation in the Sound of Barra will be dependent on two factors. Firstly finalisation of the report on the consultation and final advice by Scottish Natural Heritage. This is expected by the…
19 Mar 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how ministers will engage with members of the local community in their decision-making process regarding the proposed special area of conservation in the Sound of Barra.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Officials will engage with representatives of the local communities and industries on the Isles of Barra, Eriskay, and South Uist, as well as other stakeholders, to develop a draft management plan for the Sound of Barra SAC proposal. Officials will visit the …
7 Mar 2012 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is providing to the Machrihanish Airbase Community Company.
22 Feb 2012 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides to the University of the Highlands and Islands.
16 Feb 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the additional support for transitional arrangements for hauliers and other businesses on the ferry routes serving the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree will be available for occasional users and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.
Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-05708 on 13 March 2102. 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/Apps2/MAQASear…
16 Feb 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings it has planned with (a) hauliers, (b) the logistics sector and (c) other business to discuss fare rises on the ferry routes serving the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree following the end of road equivalent tariff for commercial vehicles.
Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-05708 on 13 March 2012. 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/Apps2/MAQASear…
16 Feb 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the economic impact on the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree of the possible fare rises on the ferry routes serving them following the end of road equivalent tariff for commercial vehicles.
Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-05708 on 13 Mach 2012. 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/Apps2/MAQASearch…
16 Feb 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on concerns expressed by businesses that, even with the additional support announced for transitional arrangements, there could be fare rises of up to 50% on the ferry routes serving the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree following the end of road equivalent tariff for com…
Answer · Keith Brown: We are absolutely committed to supporting our island and remote communities. We have recognised the impact of removing RET for larger commercial vehicles and have agreed action to address this. Following meetings with key stakeholders and hauliers from acros…
26 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce new guidance relating to advertising signage being erected at the side of roads and, if so, how it will ensure that businesses with existing advertising signs are not disadvantaged by any such guidance.
Answer · Keith Brown: Trunk road safety is a priority for Scottish ministers and Transport Scotland. Transport Scotland intends to publish guidance relating to roadside advertising on their website by 30 March 2012, which seeks to provide clarity to developers and businesses on th…
13 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reintroduce new passenger and vehicle vessels under the public service obligation contract with Argyll Ferries Limited.
Answer · Keith Brown: A public service contract for the delivery of ferry services between the town centres of Gourock and Dunoon was awarded by the Scottish Government to Argyll Ferries Ltd, with the new service coming into operation on 30 June 2011. The contract was tendered in …
13 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the European Commission regarding the public service obligation contract with Argyll Ferries Limited since 1 July 2011.
Answer · Keith Brown: The public service contract with Argyll Ferries Ltd was awarded by the Scottish Government in line with the requirements of EU maritime cabotage and State Aid rules and the parameters set by the Commission’s Decision on subsidies paid for the provision of fer…
10 Jan 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will provide to help the Scottish nephrops fleet to deliver the highly selective gears that will allow it to continue to catch whitefish.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has worked closely with nephrops fishing vessels and their representative associations to assist the development of selective fishing gears that aim to reduce unwanted catches of whitefish. In 2011, the government allocated additional …
21 Dec 2011 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to upgrade the A83 and prevent future landslips from closing the road.
19 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to concerns about the 6.5% increase in commercial vehicle fares on CalMac services.
Answer · Keith Brown: The 6.5% increase does not take place until 30 March 2012 – a full four months after the increase was announced. Whilst any increase will be unwelcome to users of ferry services this increase represents a reasonable response to the severe pressures currently …
19 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will invest in and how any funding will be spent on (a) preventing further landslides on and (b) upgrading the A83.
Answer · Keith Brown: Since the previous landslides at the Rest and Be Thankful in 2007 and 2009, we have invested approximately £700,000 at this location on mitigation measures including the installation of flexible flow netting, a new culvert and drainage system at a previous la…
19 Dec 2011 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister how Scottish fishermen will be affected by the outcome of the EU fisheries negotiations.
16 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funds have been set aside by (a) it, (b) David MacBrayne Ltd and (c) Argyll Ferries Ltd to purchase or charter new vessels.
Answer · Keith Brown: No funding has been set aside as the contract between Scottish ministers and Argyll Ferries defines the vessels to be used.