Parliamentary questions
Kenny MacAskill
2,611 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
11 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many houses owned by the City of Edinburgh Council have been demolished in each year since 1997.
Answer · Iain Gray: The available information is given in the following table. From 1998, information on demolitions by tenure distinguishes only local authority stock from non-local authority stock.<P>Total Number of Dwellings Demolished by Tenure<P>City of Edinburgh Council, 1…
11 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many houses owned by housing associations have been demolished in the City of Edinburgh Council area in each year since 1997.
Answer · Iain Gray: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21800.
11 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many owner-occupied houses in the City of Edinburgh Council area have been demolished in each year since 1997.
Answer · Iain Gray: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21800.
11 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it would fund and support, in principle, a study into the viability of cross-estuary commuter ferries on the Firth of Forth, and whether it would urge other relevant non-departmental public bodies to support such a study.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive part-funded an earlier study of fast ferry links across the Forth which showed that considerable public sector financial support would be required for such a venture.<P>I expect the Forth Estuary Transportation Authority to take up its …
10 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to easyJet to encourage the company to commence an air passenger service between Inverness and Gatwick and whether it will make funding available for the marketing of such a service.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive is awaiting a decision by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on the request for measures to protect access to Gatwick for an Inverness service. The Executive will not take any action to encourage another serv…
7 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on rail infrastructure in each year since 1999.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Information on expenditure by the rail industry is not held centrally. However the Executive has made the following awards to date for rail infrastructure projects<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=616><TR><TD WIDTH="25%" VALIGN="TOP"> </TD><TD W…
7 Jan 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether tourist journeys on the Royal Scotsman train are unable to stable at Ardlui; what the reasons are for the position on this matter, and what steps it will take in respect of this situation.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I understand that the Royal Scotsman train is unable to stable at Ardlui due to its length (207 m) and the space available (150m). This is a matter for Railtrack and the operators of the Royal Scotsman. The Scottish Executive has no direct locus or powers to …
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Strategic Rail Authority regarding the appropriateness of a Scottish Area representative being located in London and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Strategic Rail Authority on a variety of issues, including the location of authority staff dealing with issues of importance to the rail industry in Scotland.
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it spent on rail transport in each year since 1999, broken down by (a) recipient of funding and (b) budget heading.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The information requested is as follows:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=604><TR><TD WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Recipient</FONT></TD><TD WIDTH="23%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P ALIGN="JUS…
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what reports relating to the railway network it has commissioned since 1999 and on what subjects, how much each such report cost and when each such report was finalised or is due to be finalised.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The studies relating to the railway network in Scotland are as follows:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=604><TR><TD WIDTH="22%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Study</FONT></TD><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT FACE="…
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which railway stations have closed circuit television (CCTV) installed and what proposals there are to install CCTV in stations which are currently not covered.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: This information is not held centrally. The installation of CCTV at railway stations is a matter for Railtrack, the train operating companies which lease the stations from Railtrack and, where relevant, the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive. <P>The in…
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what new rail stations it anticipates opening between now and 2003.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The opening of railway stations is a matter for the railway industry in partnership with local authorities and, in the Strathclyde area, with the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive. <P>Railway projects such as the opening of railway stations may be eli…
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many studies it has commissioned or carried out since 1997 into (a) the Stirling to Alloa rail link and (b) the proposed Larkhall to Milngavie rail link and how much each study cost.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: None. However, the Scottish Executive is one of a number of organisations that is contributing to a study on the Stirling to Alloa rail link commissioned by Scottish Enterprise.
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to relocate departments or civil servants following the creation of a Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning and, if so, what plans it has for such relocation.
Answer · Peter Peacock: There are no plans to relocate departments or civil servants within the responsibility of the Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning.<P>Responsibility for tourism transferred to the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport. In the longer term…
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the normal travel time is between Victoria Quay and Meridian Court, Glasgow and how many civil servants currently travel between these offices on a daily basis.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The normal travelling time between Victoria Quay, Edinburgh and Meridian Court, Glasgow depends on the method of transport used and the time during the day when travel is undertaken. By public transport or car at peak times it may take up to one and a half ho…
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in particular, regarding marketing Scotland through special events on (a) St Andrew's Day and (b) Burns Night.
Answer · Mike Watson: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues. The Executive is currently considering how best to develop a programme of events throughout the year within the wider Scottish Tourism Strategy to raise the profile…
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to review Eurostar services from Scotland following the events of 11 September 2001.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21442.
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek a further review arising from the study by Arthur D Little into Eurostar Regional Services commissioned by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions following the events of 11 September 2001.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: European rail services are a reserved matter. The Scottish Executive has no plans to seek a further review arising from the study by Arthur D Little. Any review into Eurostar Regional Services is a matter for the Strategic Rail Authority.
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made regarding the provision of disabled access facilities at Haymarket Station and what action has been taken or is proposed to be taken to make such facilities available.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with both the UK Government and Railtrack on a wide range of issues including disabled access to railway stations.
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition is of "British culture", what discussions it has had with the Home Secretary regarding British culture, what steps it proposes to take to provide information on culture to immigrants and what culture it will provide information on to them.
Answer · Elaine Murray: It is not for the Executive to seek to define British culture. No discussions have taken place with the Home Secretary regarding British culture and there are no Executive plans to provide information on culture to immigrants.
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what role culture plays in promoting Scotland as a tourist destination and what culture Scotland is promoted for as a tourist destination.
Answer · Mike Watson: Our tourism industry derives considerable benefit from the promotion of our diverse culture. I intend to ensure that the linkages between the tourism and culture sectors are effective so that both derive maximum benefit from the activities of the other. Visit…
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the European Championships League final to be held in Glasgow in May 2002, (a) how much revenue it estimates that it will receive as a result of the event and on what basis any such estimate was reached, (b) how much it estimates the private sector will receive and (c) how…
Answer · Mike Watson: The Executive will receive no revenue from this fixture which is a matter for the Scottish Football Association. Any further information should be sought from them.
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what volume of freight trains it estimates will no longer use the Forth Rail Bridge when the Stirling/Alloa/Dunfermline railway line is reopened.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The MVA study into the proposals for a Stirling/Alloa/Kincardine railway reopening addresses this issue. I expect the report of the study to be finalised in February and to be able to make a statement about its findings shortly afterwards. It would not be app…
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the British Tourist Authority (BTA) regarding the marketing of tourism from a cultural perspective and what culture it wishes the BTA to promote Scotland for as a tourist destination.
Answer · Mike Watson: The content of marketing campaigns is an operational matter for VisitScotland and the BTA. The two agencies co-operate closely to ensure that BTA activities in respect of Scotland meet Scottish priorities and also supplement VisitScotland campaigns. The BTA t…
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Rail Inspectorate regarding the opening of Beauly Station and when any such representations were made.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Railway safety is a reserved matter. The re-opening of Beauly Station is a matter for Railtrack and the Health and Safety Executive. The Scottish Executive has no direct locus or powers to intervene.
24 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has regarding a travel-to-work area for Edinburgh Park and its extent.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive has had sight of a Transport Assessment and Green Transport Plan prepared by New Edinburgh Limited in October 1999 in support of their planning application for the development of the southern phase of Edinburgh Park. The plan, which can…
17 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will give a decision on the notified planning application P/PP/75/96/LA/55 referred to it on 16 July 2001 in respect of the sports ground in North Meggetland, Edinburgh.
Answer · Margaret Curran: This notified planning application was called in for determination by Scottish ministers on 26 October 2001. Arrangements are currently in hand to set up a public local inquiry. Ministers will make a decision once they have had the opportunity to consider the…
17 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what grant aided expenditure allocation was made to each local authority for (a) roads maintenance and (b) winter roads maintenance in each financial year since 1998-99.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The following table shows what grant-aided expenditure was made to each local authority for roads and winter roads maintenance in each financial year since 1998-99.<P>Grant Aided Expenditure<P>Roads Maintenance and Winter Maintenance<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=…
17 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of any additional costs to local authorities as a consequence of the privatisation of the trunk road maintenance contracts.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: There has been no privatisation to the trunk road maintenance contracts. Bids were invited and received from both local authorities and private sector consortia in 1995, and again in 2000-01, in open tender competitions subject to EU procurement rules. The Sc…
17 Dec 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what changes have been made to the formula used to determine the grant aided expenditure allocations for (a) roads maintenance and (b) winter roads maintenance following the removal of the maintenance contracts from local authorities.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The maintenance contracts awarded to private contractors were for trunk road maintenance, provision for which has always been outwith the local government settlement. The grant aided expenditure formulae for road maintenance and winter maintenance reflect loc…