Kenny MacAskill

29 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to regulate work undertaken by utility companies on trunk and non-trunk roads and what the likely timescale is for the implementation of any such plans.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Work undertaken by utility companies on all roads in Scotland is currently regulated under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.</p><p>The Scottish Executive is currently reviewing how the provisions of this act can be strengthened and improved. At the mom…

29 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-915 by Nicol Stephen on 21 July 2003, whether it has any estimates of the capital cost of each transport infrastructure project and, if so, what these estimates are, and what the reasons are for the position on this matter.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Most of our major publictransport projects are actually promoted by others, for example City of Edinburgh Council for trams and Strathclyde Passenger Transport for the Glasgow AirportRail link. In these instances the best current estimates would be availablef…

10 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-829 by Nicol Stephen on 27 June 2003, what steps it has taken to assess the impact on road traffic and road maintenance of the proposal by the Royal Mail to cease rail operations

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-1348. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa">…

10 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the expenditure by it, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies in securing, promoting and supporting each major event has been in each year since 1999.

Answer · Frank McAveety: A note setting out the expenditure devoted to securing, promoting and supporting major events by the Scottish Executive, EventScotland, VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise in each year since 1999 has been placed in the Parl…

10 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are for the award of performance-related pay for the chief executive of EventScotland.

Answer · Frank McAveety: These criteria, which will require to be agreed between the new chief executive, the Scottish Executive and VisitScotland, will be related to the EventScotland business plan which will be finalised and published after the chief executive takes up post later t…

10 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the roles and remits of (a) it, (b) EventScotland, (c) VisitScotland, (d) area tourist boards, (e) Scottish Enterprise and (f) Highlands and Islands Enterprise are in promoting Scotland as an event centre.

Answer · Frank McAveety: EventScotland was established to take forward the Scottish Executive's Major Events Strategy launched by the First Minister in November 2002. The aim is to secure Scotland's place as one of the world's foremost events destinations by 2015. To achieve that aim…

10 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the #10 million for EventScotland will be spent on (a) wages and salaries, (b) administration costs and (c) promoting Scotland as an event centre.

Answer · Frank McAveety: The annual budget and business plan for EventScotland will be finalised after the arrival of the new chief executive at the end of August. It will then be discussed and agreed with the advisory board of EventScotland at its next meeting in November. Once it i…

10 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what maximum sum could be earned by the current chief executive of EventScotland under performance-related pay.

Answer · Frank McAveety: The maximum sum that currently could be earned by the chief executive under performance related pay is £98,946. In addition, he could be eligible for a non-consolidated bonus of up to 10%, depending on his achieving or exceeding standards of performance to be…

10 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-829 by Nicol Stephen on 27 June 2003, whether it has requested from the Royal Mail the basis, assumptions and projected impact of its proposal to cease rail operations and what the reasons are for the Executive's position on this matter.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-01348. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa"…

10 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact on the new passenger rail franchise would be if rail freight operators did not use the Stirling to Kincardine rail link because of any track access charges introduced by the promoter of the railway.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: A decision of freight operators not to use the proposed Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine rail link would have no impact on the passenger rail services specified in the draft bidding documentation for the Scottish passenger rail franchise, as the specification is bas…

8 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it will give to creating a designated museum scheme similar to the scheme operated by Her Majesty's Government.

Answer · Frank McAveety: The Executive is not considering implementing a designation scheme similar to that operated by Resource in England. However, the Executive's response to the consultation exercise to assist the development of an <I>Action Plan for Scotland's museums and galler…

8 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what budget has been made available to each local authority education department to support visits to museums in each year since 1997.

Answer · Frank McAveety: This is a matter for local authorities. The information is not held centrally.

8 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the museums action plan will be published; why there has been a delay in publication of the plan, and whether there will be any further delay and, if so, what the reasons are for the position on this matter and what interim plan, advice or assistance will be given to museums.

Answer · Frank McAveety: The Executive's response to the consultation exercise to assist the development of an action plan for Scotland's museums and galleries will be published shortly. It is necessary to set the response in the context of the planned review of the future governance…

8 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what aggregation has taken place in the public sector with regard to the roll-out of broadband technology; in what towns or communities and when such aggregation has occurred; when and where any further roll-out will take place, and whether it will give an update on its broadband strategy.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The aim of the broadband pathfinder projects is to make affordable broadband available to the public sector in the Highlands and Islands and the South of Scotland through the aggregation of demand. The projects, which involve connectivity for health, schools …

8 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact of European competition rules on the roll-out of broadband technology in respect of aggregation of demand in the public sector.

Answer · Tavish Scott: In the course of the work undertaken to date by the Executive on the aggregated procurement of broadband services for the public sector, every effort has been made to ensure full compliance with the relevant European legislation. This will continue to be the …

3 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether museums are entitled to seek funding from EventScotland for specific events at their venues.

Answer · Frank McAveety: If a museum proposes to use its premises to host a major event which meets the funding priorities set out in the Executive's major events strategy, it would be able to approach EventScotland with a case for support. However, funding from EventScotland will no…

3 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-829 by Nicol Stephen on 27 June 2003, whether it has requested, or will request, any information from the Royal Mail about the basis, assumptions and projected impact of the proposal to cease rail operations and what the reasons are for its position …

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I intend meeting the Royal Mail shortly to discuss its proposal to cease rail operations. Until then, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.

3 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-774 by Tavish Scott on 19 June 2003, how many of the tenders for Pathfinder projects are from the (a) public and (b) private sector; when contracts will be signed, and when work will commence.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The evaluation of the outline proposals is still ongoing and until this process is complete it is not possible to estimate with accuracy when contracts might be signed and work on the projects might commence.

27 Jun 2003 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer what costs have been incurred in the employment of the acting Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner.

Answer · Robert Brown: The acting Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, Mr William Spence QPM, was appointed by the SPCB on 31 January 2003. The costs including salary and associated expenses for work undertaken on investigating complaints against members during the period…

27 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what stage costing and planning for the redevelopment of Waverley Station have reached.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: A steering group chaired by the Strategic Rail Authority, and which includes the Executive, Network Rail and the City of Edinburgh Council, is overseeing the necessary preliminary work required to assess the options available.

27 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it takes to monitor, follow up and ensure implementation of local authority freight strategies and what the purpose of each current strategy is.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The guidance issued to local authorities on local transport strategies reminds them of the need to consider freight issues. Separate freight strategies are not required.

27 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what regulations require an environmental impact assessment to be carried out in respect of ports, harbours and maritime developments; under what circumstances such an assessment should be carried out, and what procedures have to be followed in respect of such assessments and in respect o…

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Harbour Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999 define the circumstances, in relation to proposed ports and harbours developments, which would determine whether an environmental assessment is required. Such developments normally relate to…

27 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what additional support or funding is available to assist in the maintenance and enhancement of international maritime routes and whether any additional funding will be available for the Superfast Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry route.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: <I>A<B> </B>Partnership for a Better Scotland </I>commits the Executive to improving Scotland's ferry links to mainland Europe. We will be developing plans to deliver this commitment but our ability to offer financial support in connection with any such ferry…

27 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has regarding the viability of cruise liners operating between Scotland and Scandinavia; if it has no information, what plans it has to gather such information and what the reasons are for its position on this matter, and what support is available for acquiring such in…

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive will be assessing a range of factors related to the market for shipping services between Scotland and mainland Europe as it seeks to deliver its commitment to improve Scotland's ferry links to mainland Europe. The tourism bodies are see…

27 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made, or will make, and to whom, regarding the International Maritime Organisation and European Commission investigation into the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code; whether it will seek any deregulation in respect of this matter, and what the r…

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of reserved ports and shipping security issues. These include the International Maritime Organisation International Ship and Port Facility Security Code and related EU Maritim…

25 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will dispense with the need for a full Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance proposal for the creation of quality contracts in respect of transport projects and, if so, when this will take place.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: No. The Scottish Executive has no plans to dispense with the need for a STAG appraisal for transport policies, projects and programmes for which it provides funding, support or approval.

25 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that quality contracts in respect of transport projects are taken up and made simpler to obtain; whether additional funds will be made available to local authorities to meet the cost of the take-up of quality contracts if additional revenue is required by transport ope…

Answer · Nicol Stephen: <I>A Partnership for a Better Scotland</I> commits the Executive to promoting bus quality contracts and guidance is available to help transport authorities to develop proposals. A quality contract will have a significant effect on the bus services to which it…

23 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken, or will take, to create inter-governmental links with (a) West Norden and (b) the Nordic Council and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive enjoys a wide range of links with the governments of West Norden and with the Nordic Council of Ministers, the forum for Nordic inter-governmental co-operation. These links form the basis of actual and potential mutually beneficial co-o…

23 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-680 by Mr Frank McAveety on 17 June 2003, whether it will give details of the performance standards set out in the service level agreement in respect of visitscotland.com and what reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · Frank McAveety: erformance standards are set out in Annex 1 of the Business Case which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

23 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-680 by Mr Frank McAveety on 17 June 2003, what duty VisitScotland has to discuss an annual business plan for the visitscotland.com venture; how stakeholders in the sector may participate in, and comment on, the running and operation of the venture an…

Answer · Frank McAveety: An annual business plan is produced by visitscotland.com. It is agreed by the board and any changes to the plan require a unanimous decision by all board members. The business plan is not publicly available for reasons of commercial confidentiality.<P>Both Vi…