Parliamentary questions

Jim Mather

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

21 Aug 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, when formulating any response to HM Treasury’s Independence for statistics: A consultation document, it consulted any external organisations or individuals and, if so, whether it will provide a list of these organisations or individuals.

Answer · Tom McCabe: This is fully covered in my answerto question S2W-27904 on 11 September 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’swebsite, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/weba…

21 Aug 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to reduce the time during which ministers and civil servants have pre-publication access to statistics from approximately 40 hours to three hours as recommended by the House of Commons Treasury Committee in its Tenth Report of Session 2005-06: Independence for Statistic…

Answer · Tom McCabe: The Executive does not have plansto reduce the pre-publication access which for most statistics releases is in factfive days as is standard for National Statistics across the UK. It considersthis to be an important part of ensuring that ministers are able to …

21 Aug 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made a written submission on HM Treasury’s proposals referred to in Independence for statistics: A consultation document and, if so, when the submission will be published.

Answer · Tom McCabe: he Executive has not made awritten submission and does not intend to.

21 Aug 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has formulated a position on HM Treasury’s proposals referred to in Independence for statistics: A consultation document and, if so, whether it will make that position public.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The Executive has notformulated a position on HM Treasury’s proposals. It is more concerned withdeveloping appropriate arrangements for Scotland, but will come to a view on the HM Treasuryproposals as part of the process of considering its own position and wi…

21 Aug 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has begun any form of consultation with statisticians, statistical users or the UK Government regarding a review of the concordat relating to the production of statistics.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The Executive has onlystarted considering the specifics of the concordat recently. There has beensome initial discussion with UK Government. Further consultation will takeplace as appropriate.

17 Aug 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the statement made in correspondence from the Lord Advocate on 8 June 2006 indicating that there was no legal requirement for the Assignation Statement relating to the Skye Bridge tolling regime to be signed, how many other such instruments which are the responsibility of the…

Answer · Tavish Scott: There are no other statementsmade under paragraph 14(A)3 of Part IIA of Schedule 1 to the Roads (Scotland) Act1984.

17 Aug 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the statement made in correspondence from the Lord Advocate on 8 June 2006 indicating that there was no legal requirement for the Assignation Statement relating to the Skye Bridge tolling regime to be signed, whether it will indicate what statutory authority permits the state…

Answer · Tavish Scott: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-16388 on 20 May 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:<ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/weba…

11 Aug 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the expiry of the United Kingdom’s derogation from Council Directive 2003/96/EC of 27 October 2003, which allows private boat owners to purchase red diesel at reduced duty levels; whether it has considered the impact which the e…

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive are inregular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, includingtaxation of fuel.

5 Jul 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the content is of any Public Service Obligation (PSO) in respect of the re-tendering process to provide a ferry service between Campbeltown and Ballycastle and when such PSO was established.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Executive is currently pursuinga Public Service Contract (PSC) rather than a Public Service Obligation (PSO) inseeking to identify a possible operator for a subsidised ferry service for thisroute, as set out in the answer to question S2W-27265 on 3 August…

5 Jul 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26119 by Tavish Scott on 13 June 2006, whether it has established a Public Service Obligation in respect of the re-tendering process to provide a ferry service between Campbeltown and Ballycastle and what the reasons are for its position on the matte…

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Executive is pursuing a PublicService Contract (PSC) in an effort to identify a possible operator for a subsidisedferry service between Campbeltown and Ballycastle. Provision for PSCs is made inarticle 4.1 of the EU Maritime Cabotage Regulation 3277/92 of…

5 Jul 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the content is of any Public Service Obligation (PSO) in respect of the current Northern Isles ferry re-tendering process and when such PSO was established.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Executive concluded the NorthernIsles Ferry Services contract on 6 July 2006 as a Public Service Contract (PSC) rather than a PublicService Obligation (PSO) as set out in the answer to question S2W-27263 on 3 August 2006. All answersto written parliamenta…

5 Jul 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26119 by Tavish Scott on 13 June 2006, whether it has established a Public Service Obligation in respect of the current Northern Isles ferry re-tendering process and what the reasons are for its position on the matter.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Executive concluded a PublicService Contract (PSC) on 6 July 2006 for the provision of ferry services to the Northern Isles.Provision for PSCs is made in article 4.1 of the EU Maritime Cabotage Regulation3277/92 of 7 December 1992. The Executive tendered …

29 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals have received a visa under the Fresh Talent initiative in its first 12 months, broken down by month and, of those, how many are known to be (a) resident, (b) not resident and (c) in employment in Scotland.

Answer · Tom McCabe: Data on numbers ofsuccessful applicants to the Fresh Talent:Working in Scotland Scheme (FT:WISS) hasnow been passed to the Scottish Executive by the Home Office and UKVisas. Successful applications by month are listed in the followingtable.<table border=…

29 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to ensure that the advantage Scottish universities perceived they have gained through the Fresh Talent visa scheme, when recruiting foreign students, is maintained in light of the proposed introduction by the Home Office of a similar scheme across the United Kingdom.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The introduction of the newUnited Kingdom-wide scheme allows postgraduate students, and some first degreestudents within very specific disciplines, to remain and work in the UK for amaximum of one year. However, the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme is…

22 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26740 by Tavish Scott on 22 June 2006, what the average saving is in pounds sterling per person on each of the eligible air routes under the Air Discount Scheme, taking account of taxes and charges, and whether these savings are based on any examinat…

Answer · Tavish Scott: The information requestedcould only be provided at disproportionate cost.

19 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26119 by Tavish Scott on 13 June 2006 which stated that “there is no need to consider, nor do we intend to consider, issues arising in relation to PSOs”, whether it has any concerns that the subsidy of ferry services on the Tarbert to Portavadie and …

Answer · Tavish Scott: There is no threat of whichwe are aware of immediate cessation. The Commission has welcomed the steps thatthe Executive is taking to tender the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services and thus bring thesubsidy arrangements into line with European law, including Sta…

19 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26119 by Tavish Scott on 13 June 2006, whether it considers that, in the absence of a public service obligation, the subsidy to ferry services on the Tarbert to Portavadie and Gourock to Dunoon routes and elsewhere on the Clyde and Hebrides network c…

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Executive plans toproceed by means of Public Service Contracts (PSCs), rather than Public ServiceObligations (PSOs). Provision for PSCs is made in Article 4.1 of the MaritimeCabotage Regulation.

19 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26119 by Tavish Scott on 13 June 2006, whether it has taken external legal advice to confirm whether a public service obligation is a prerequisite for the subsidy of ferry services on the Tarbert to Portavadie and Gourock to Dunoon routes and elsewhe…

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Executive hassignificant legal advice at its disposal. The Executive does not normallypublish the legal advice which it receives.

16 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26119 by Tavish Scott on 13 June 2006, whether it will explain and expand on the statement that “Public Service Obligations (PSOs) would not provide that certainty and security of service nor deliver on the Executive’s key policy objectives”.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Article 4.2 of the Maritime CabotageRegulation (Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 of 7 December 1992 applying theprinciple of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within memberstates (maritime cabotage)) notes that, in imposing PSOs, “Member St…

15 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many workers from EU accession states have been working in Scotland in each month since May 2004.

Answer · Tom McCabe: This data is not collected bythe Scottish Executive as immigration is a reserved issue.The information is availablein the Accession Monitoring Report May 2004 – March 2006, an online reportavailable from the Home Office’s Immigration and Nationa…

15 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-24904 by Nicol Stephen on 1 June 2006 and given the constraints of Scottish Enterprise’s total resource budget, what plans the Executive has to access and utilise the funds in Scottish Enterprise’s general fund and capital reserves.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-26862 on 14 November 2006. For 2006-07, the Executive has agreedthat Scottish Enterprise should be able to utilise £20 million of its reserves.All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available o…

15 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-24904 by Nicol Stephen on 1 June 2006 and given the constraints of Scottish Enterprise’s total resource budget, under what circumstances the funds in Scottish Enterprise’s general fund and capital reserves will be accessed and utilised.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Scottish Enterprise may,with the agreement of the Scottish Executive, access and utilise a set amountof its reserves at any time. The Executive could in such circumstances reduce ScottishEnterprise’s cash grant in aid entitlement by the relevant amount, while…

9 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-25977 by Tavish Scott on 6 June 2006, whether it is considering increasing the discount on air fares available to Highlands and Islands' residents from 40% and whether it expects to increase the discount between now and the end of the current scheme …

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive has nocurrent plans to increase the discount. The take-up of the Air Discount Scheme will,however, be monitored closely.

9 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-25980 by Tavish Scott on 6 June 2006, what measurements it will use to assess the effectiveness of the Aid of Social Character scheme to determine whether it will be extended beyond 2008 and whether the assessment will also include an assessment of t…

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Air Discount Scheme willbe assessed on the basis of its effectiveness in delivering the benefits of lowerair fares to residents of the eligible areas in the Highlands andIslands. The primary objective of the scheme is to facilitate greater social inclusio…

9 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-25979 by Tavish Scott on 6 June 2006, whether residents of eligible areas of the Highlands and Islands are able to claim a discount under the Aid of Social Character scheme on a flight from an eligible area of the Highlands and Islands to one of the …

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Air Discount Scheme may beused by eligible residents on flights between the eligible areas and to and fromInverness, Aberdeen, Glasgow International and Edinburgh Airports, irrespectiveof the ultimate planned destination.

9 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average reduction in price is for tickets booked under the Aid of Social Character scheme by residents of the Highlands and Islands on each of the eligible routes.

Answer · Tavish Scott: A 40% reduction on core air faresfor residents eligible under the Air Discount Scheme is available on scheduled airservices between the eligible areas (Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles, Islay andJura, Caithness and north west Sutherland) and to and from Invern…

9 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why residents of the Highlands and Islands are not able to use online booking systems to book flights under the Aid of Social Character scheme and whether it is aware that offline booking fees are incurred by those who wish to use the scheme.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Online booking is possible forall eligible residents through <a href="http://www.ba.com/ads">www.ba.com/ads</a>and <a href="http://www.flybmi.com/airdiscountscheme">www.flybmi.com/airdiscountscheme</a>which facilitate flights with British Airways/Loganair and…

6 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-25906 by Mr Tom McCabe on 25 May 2006, whether it plans to carry out an updated evaluation of the Small Business Rates Relief Scheme, given that the report of the evaluation carried out in 2004 indicated that the full effect of the scheme would not b…

Answer · Tom McCabe: We have no plans for an updatedevaluation, we will of course continue routinely to review the operation of theSmall Business Rates Relief Scheme.

6 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses which are eligible to claim small business rates relief do not pay business rates because their premises are empty.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The information requested isnot held centrally.

23 May 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23314 by Nicol Stephen on 23 May 2006, what the actual outcomes were in respect of (a) projects completed, (b) jobs created and (c) money invested in each year from 1995-96 to 2004-05, net of the impact of inward investors closing their operations in…

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-26235 on 27 June 2006. Allanswers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’swebsite, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.se…