Parliamentary questions

Jim Mather

709 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

23 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will review the policy, processes and expenditure guidelines associated with the hiring of consultants by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and its Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department and whether it will have separate discussions with local authorities …

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Management Statements between the Department and the Enterprise Networks contain guidelines on expenditure and procurement of services, which include the hiring of consultants. These guidelines are subject to review on a regular basis to ensure that they …

23 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will receive the report by Audit Scotland on Scottish Enterprise.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Audit Scotland's review of Scottish Enterprise is still under way. When completed, later in the summer, Audit Scotland will report their findings to the Auditor General and to the Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise. It will then be for the Auditor General…

23 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many employees were employed in the economic development department of (a) Glasgow City Council, (b) City of Edinburgh Council, (c) Perth and Kinross Council, (d) Highland Council, (e) Aberdeen City Council, (f) Dundee City Council and (g) Stirling Council; what the total annual remun…

Answer · Andy Kerr: The information requested is not held centrally. The latest available information on numbers of full-time equivalent staff employed by each local authority associated with the services of "planning and economic development" is given in table 5 of <I…

23 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many employees were temporarily employed in its Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department and what the total annual equivalent remuneration of such employees was on 30 April 2003.

Answer · Andy Kerr: There were nine temporarily employed casual staff employed within Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department at the end of April 2003. Their basic salaries totalled £100,000 annually.

23 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many permanent civil service employees were employed in its Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department and what the total annual remuneration of such employees was on 30 April 2003.

Answer · Andy Kerr: There were 353 permanent staff employed within Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department at the end of April 2003 (a working time equivalent of 341.8). Their basic salaries totalled £8.2 million annually.

23 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many temporary employees were employed by (a) Scottish Enterprise, (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise and (c) each local enterprise company and, in each case, what the total annual remuneration of such employees was on 30 April 2003.

Answer · Jim Wallace: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

23 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many permanent employees were employed by (a) Scottish Enterprise, (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise and (c) each local enterprise company and, in each case, what the total annual remuneration of such employees was on 30 April 2003.

Answer · Jim Wallace: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highland and Islands Enterprise.

20 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to inform Sir Michael Lyons' independent review into the scope for relocating civil service and public sector jobs, currently based in London and the south-east of England, to other areas of the United Kingdom and when it will meet with Sir Michael as part of this …

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Executive has written to Sir Michael Lyons agreeing to offer assistance and officials have met with the review team. The review team has welcomed discussions on the existing executive relocation policy and has requested input from the Executive on potenti…

13 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the Chancellor of the Exchequer's proposals on regional pay bargaining for public sector workers will have on recruitment, retention and payroll budgets.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive expects all public sector bodies to manage their resources, including pay costs, within the three-year spending limits agreed in the course of Spending Review 2002.Responsibility for public sector pay is a devolved matter. The Scotti…

19 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct Scottish Water to review its harmonisation of business water rate charges, given the impact that such harmonisation has had on businesses in the Highlands and Islands.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The levels of charges set for each customer is, as specified by the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002, a matter for the Water Industry Commissioner and Scottish Water to agree. Each scheme must raise income by no more than the revenue cap specified by minist…

19 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to learn from Ireland's approach to the economic development of towns and cities of its west coast area in order to help the Highlands and Islands and other rural and deprived areas.

Answer · Jim Wallace: In seeking to identify best practice, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Executive's economic development agency in the Highlands and Islands, regularly reviews the approach of other rural development agencies in delivering various aspects of the A Smar…

19 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what lessons have been learned in promoting economic development in 2002-03 and what new and remedial measures arising from any such lessons are now being taken.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive is well aware that the Scottish Economy did not grow in 2002. There are no quick fixes and we are committed to creating the conditions to maximise sustainable economic growth in the medium and long term. A Smart, Successful Scotland,…

19 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set a target for economic growth in 2003-04 and 2004-05 and what the reasons are for its position on the matter.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Scotland is an open economy, and our economic performance is inextricably linked to global economic conditions, therefore setting a target for growth over a limited period of time cannot take account of circumstances beyond our control and will not aid the de…

15 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to close the gap in average weekly incomes between the Highlands and Islands and the rest of Scotland.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Highlands and Islands Enterprise is charged with pursuing the strategic priorities for economic development contained in A Smart, Successful Scotland. These priorities include improving productivity and competitiveness to enhance the long-term g…

15 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a target date by which average weekly incomes in the Highlands and Islands will converge with those in the rest of Scotland and, if so, what that date is.

Answer · Jim Wallace: No.

15 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a target date by which average weekly incomes in Scotland will converge with those in the rest of the UK and, if so, what that date is

Answer · Jim Wallace: No.

15 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to close the gap in average weekly incomes between Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive is committed to pursuing an approach to achieving sustainable economic development based upon the strategic priorities contained in A Smart, Successful Scotland. This includes improving productivity and competitiveness to …

15 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to close the gap in economic growth rates between Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Growing the economy is our top priority and we outlined our overarching approach in the Framework for Economic Development. Our Enterprise Strategy, A Smart, Successful Scotland, is crucial in delivering this, giving strategic direction to the E…

15 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to improve the local provision of surgical and accident and emergency services to patients who live to the north and west of the Vale of Leven District General Hospital, given the planned closure and reduction respectively of these services at that hospital.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: It is primarily for NHS Argyll and Clyde to ensure that their health care services meet the needs of the local population.I am aware of the board's decision to engage the contingency plans for surgical services at the Vale of Leven Hospital. I understand t…