Parliamentary questions
Jim Mather
709 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
27 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the cessation of trading of businesses and companies and whether these arrangements are sufficient to inform policy on economic growth.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5808 on 9 February 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/we…
27 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce new measures to monitor the creation of new businesses and companies.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5808 on 9 February 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/we…
27 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what statistical information collected by Her Majesty's Government and organisations regarding the creation of new businesses or companies in Scotland it uses to inform policies on economic growth.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5808 on 9 February 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/we…
27 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the creation of new businesses and companies and whether these arrangements are sufficient to inform policy on economic growth.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Executive monitors thecreation and cessation of businesses using:</p><p>VAT registrations andde-registrations provided by the Department of Trade and Industry;</p><p>The InterdepartmentalBusiness Register maintained by the Office for National Statistics a…
27 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with (a) the Department for Trade and Industry, (b) HM Treasury, (c) the Scotland Office, (d) the Bank of England, (e) the Inland Revenue Commissioners and (f) HM Customs and Excise regarding the growth of the Scottish economy, stating what meetings have taken …
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues,including exchanges on fostering growth in Scotland.</p>
27 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what statutory powers it has to influence the economy and what plans it has to use such powers in each case.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The powers of the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament are defined in the Scotland Act. TheExecutive’s overarching approach to economic development is set out in the <i>Frameworkfor Economic Development in Scotland</i>, published in June 2000. My re…
27 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to issue economic growth forecasts.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive monitors the projections of three independent economic forecasters:Cambridge Econometrics, Fraser of Allander Institute and Experian BusinessStrategies. We work closely with each of these organisations in sharinginformation and assessme…
23 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make sufficient funding available to develop the specific opportunities identified in the Tiree development plan.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive understands that the development plan is still being compiled and willnot be finalised until Autumn 2004. Ministers will be happy to offer a view onthe plan and its implementation once available.</p>
23 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans are in place for relocating Scottish public sector jobs to Tiree and what information it has regarding the relocation of UK public sector jobs to the island.
Answer · Tavish Scott: The Executive is committedto the dispersal of public sector jobs and to improving the social and economicconditions of all areas across Scotland, including areas of most need. The Executiverecognises that particularly in remote areas, even a small number of a…
22 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost has been of compiling, writing, publishing and distributing the Government Expenditure and Revenues in Scotland report in each year that the report has been published.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The printing anddistribution costs for <i>Government Expenditure and Revenues in </i><i>Scotland</i><i> (GERS) 2001-02</i> were £4,432.There are no estimates available of the costs of compiling, writing and editing<i>GERS </i>by staff in the Executive and oth…
27 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2090 by Nicol Stephen on 10 November 2003, what the legal basis is for negotiations relating to a buy-out being subject to commercial confidentiality.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The contract documentationrelating to the Skye Bridge project includes a confidentiality clause whichrequires both parties to the agreement to hold in confidence all documents andother information supplied by and on behalf of the other.</p>
25 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a table showing how the balance outstanding on the Skye Bridge contract reduces annually by net discounted tolls.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: We are currently examiningin detail all of the financial information relating to the Skye Bridgeproject. This information, and the detailed terms of the contract itself, arenow the subject of commercially confidential negotiations with Skye BridgeLimited, wit…
24 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a schedule that compares for every year since inception of the tolling licence the gross toll receipts and the discounted value of those receipts used to reduce the outstanding balance.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: We are currently examiningin detail all of the financial information relating to the Skye Bridgeproject. This information, and the detailed terms of the contract itself, arenow the subject of commercially confidential negotiations with Skye BridgeLimited, wit…
24 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when current forecasts predict that the assigned licence total of #23.64 million in respect of the Skye Bridge will be met.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: We are currently examiningin detail all of the financial information relating to the Skye Bridgeproject. This information, and the detailed terms of the contract itself, arenow the subject of commercially confidential negotiations with Skye BridgeLimited, wit…
24 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what elements of financial devaluation are applied to every #100 collected at the Skye Bridge tollbooths for every year of operation of the tolling concession before the residual sum is applied as a credit against the total debt of #23.64 million stated on the licence.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: We are currently examiningin detail all of the financial information relating to the Skye Bridgeproject. This information, and the detailed terms of the contract itself, arenow the subject of commercially confidential negotiations with Skye BridgeLimited, wit…
24 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what advantage will accrue to taxpayers and the residents of Skye and Lochalsh by not specifying the sum outstanding on the Skye Bridge contract that remains to be collected through tolling by the concessionaire.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: We are currently examiningin detail all of the financial information relating to the Skye Bridgeproject. This information, and the detailed terms of the contract itself, arenow the subject of commercially confidential negotiations with Skye BridgeLimited, wit…
24 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Skye Bridge Ltd has made a direct formal request to treat the sum outstanding on the Skye Bridge contract as commercially confidential.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: No. We are currentlyexamining in detail all of the financial information relating to the Skye Bridgeproject. This information, and the detailed terms of the contract itself, arenow the subject of commercially confidential negotiations with Skye BridgeLimited,…
11 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Ministry of Defence regarding the environmental impact of the decommissioning of nuclear submarines and storage of nuclear material on the west of Scotland, in particular on Faslane and Coulport.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive is taking a close interest inthe consultation process. We have engaged with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) onprocedural aspects of the consultation process, in order to ensure that theissues are aired at a local and national level. We ha…
3 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish comparative budget data showing departmental expenditure on a consistent basis in each year from 1993 to 1998 and, if so, when.
Answer · Andy Kerr: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-3807. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa">http…
3 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish comparative budget data showing departmental expenditure on a consistent basis in each year from 1999 to 2003.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The Executive are currentlydiscussing with the Parliament’s Finance Committee how we can address thedifficult technical issues around the provision of fully comparable data. Iwould hope to able to provide data helpful to the committee shortly after thosediscu…
30 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2135 by Ross Finnie on 3 September 2003, how many dairy cows were recorded in (a) Kintyre, (b) Isle of Gigha and (c) Isle of Islay in 2003 to date.
Answer · Ross Finnie: In 2003 there are 4,573dairy cows in Kintyre, 293 on the Isle of Gigha and 248 on the Isle of Islay.</p>
30 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2135 by Ross Finnie on 3 September 2003, how many dairy herds were recorded in (a) Kintyre, (b) Isle of Gigha and (c) Isle of Islay in 2003 to date.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Data are not collected onthe basis of the number of herds but are on the basis of holdings with dairycattle. In 2003 there are 52 holdings of dairy cattle in Kintrye, five on theIsle of Gigha and nine on the Isle of Islay.</p>
22 Oct 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking, and will take, to protect and promote the fishing industry in Scotland.
Answer · Ross Finnie: TheDecember Council this year promises to be a difficult negotiation. However,given that there are some encouraging signs in relation to cod recovery, myobjective will be to assist fish processors and others by resisting closurewhile pressing on with the cod …
14 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the formula was for calculating the recent enterprise in education grants to local authorities.
Answer · Jim Wallace: We are distributing fundingon the basis of pupil population with an adjustment for rurality.</p>
1 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has sought any independent legal opinion regarding the European Court of Justice's ruling on the Altmark Trans bus company case and its impact on the provision of broadband in remote areas of Scotland.
Answer · Jim Wallace: We are currently consideringthe implications of the Altmark judgment carefully in so far as they arerelevant to the provision of broadband in remote areas of Scotland.</p>
1 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has sought any independent legal opinion regarding the European Court of Justice's ruling on the Altmark Trans bus company case and its impact on the Gourock to Dunoon public service obligation and, if so, whether it will publish that opinion.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: We are currently examiningthe full implications of the judgement in relation to EC rules regardingmaritime state aids and shall urgently seek to discuss the matter with theEuropean Commission. The Executive hassignificant legal advice at its disposal. This ad…
1 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received regarding the European Court of Justice's ruling on the Altmark Trans bus company case and what discussions it has had with Caledonian MacBrayne and other transport providers regarding the judgement.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: We have received somerepresentations from interested parties regarding the recent Altmark judgement.We will ensure that we discuss the matter with Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd beforewe approach the commission in relation to Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.</p>
1 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial provision it is making for future years to ensure that the implications of the European Court of Justice's ruling on the Altmark Trans bus company case allow it to ensure the preservation of lifeline routes in the Highlands and Islands, including the Gourock to Dunoon publ…
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive is committedto the maintenance of affordable air and sea links to Scotland’sisland and remote communities. There would not be, so far as the Executive isaware, any additional financial implications arising from the ruling.</p>
1 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government or the European Commission with regard to the European Court of Justice's ruling on the Altmark on the Trans bus company case and what its position is on any such discussions and the implications of the judgement with regard to (a…
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues,including European matters which may affect Scotland.</p><p>The consequences of theAltmark judgement are far from clear. The European Court of Justice’s decisiondeal…
1 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the European Court of Justice's ruling on the Altmark Trans bus company case will enable the Scottish Executive to adhere to EC state aid rules without putting the Caledonian MacBrayne network out to competitive tender.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The consequences of the Altmark case for ferry services are far from clear. The European Court ofJustice’s decision in the Altmark case deals with the interaction between theTreaty and the relevant state aid regulations for bus services. We arecurrently exami…