Kenny MacAskill

12 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the schemes available in each year since 1997 to encourage the use of public transport; what estimate it has made of the number of people who have used such schemes and whether there has been any increase in the number of people using public transport as a result.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive works with transport authorities and transport operators to encourage the use of public transport through many initiatives. These include new and improved transport infrastructure, funding through the Public Transport Fund, Rural Transp…

12 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil servants in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh have obtained a Lothian Buses Ridacard with assistance from their employer, in each year since 1997.

Answer · Angus MacKay: The total number of civil servants in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh who have obtained a Lothian Buses Ridacard, with a repayable loan from the Scottish Executive, in each year since 1997 is listed below. It should be noted, however, that the Scottish Executive no …

12 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil servants worked in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh at 1 April and 1 October in each year since 1997 and whether it holds information on how many of them travelled to this office by (a) public transport, (b) car, (c) bicycle and (d) on foot.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The figures are provided in the following table:<P>Count of Civil Servants Working at Victoria Quay<P>Selected dates 1 April 1997 to 1 October 2001<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=2 WIDTH=132><TR><TD WIDTH="64%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=17><FONT FACE="Arial…

12 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil servants have been posted to Helsinki since May 1999, detailing their grade and the nature of their posting there.

Answer · Angus MacKay: Since May 1999, one Scottish Executive member of staff in Band B has completed a five-week attachment to the Ministry of the Interior, Department for Regional Development in Helsinki to assist with their contribution to the EU Urban Exchange Initiative. A fur…

12 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many flights have been taken by (a) ministers and (b) civil servants since 11 September 2001 and how many were with low cost carriers.

Answer · Angus MacKay: The number of flights undertaken by ministers and officials for the period 11 September 2001 through to 12 October 2001 is as follows:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=2 WIDTH=181><TR><TD WIDTH="38%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=16><P></TD><TD WIDTH="26%" VALIGN…

11 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken or proposes to take to support multi-skilling in the construction industry.

Answer · Alasdair Morrison: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-3911 on 4 October 2001.

11 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what funding was provided to colleges for training in the construction industry, (b) which colleges received such funding and how much each received and (c) what methodology was used to determine the sums involved, in each of the past three years.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: Decisions on the funding of individual colleges of further education are a matter for the Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC). The council is currently conducting studies into the supply of, and demand for, further education across four Scottis…

10 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who is responsible for security in the Scottish Executive; what increased security has been provided following the recent terrorist attacks in the United States of America; from what budget are security costs met, and what this budget currently is.

Answer · Angus MacKay: Responsibility for security, on a day to day basis, is delegated to the Departmental Security Officer. The security measures in place at any one time are appropriate to the perceived threat. It would be inappropriate to detail the measures deployed. Security …

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has regarding the amount of Air Passenger Duty collected from passengers in Scotland and any consequential impact on the economy, visitor numbers and transport strategy.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Air Passenger Duty (APD) is paid by airlines to Customs and Excise and there is no geographical breakdown. Passengers travelling from airports in the Highlands and Islands do not pay APD.

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding Air Passenger Duty and its impact on tourism.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Changes to Air Passenger Duty which directly benefit air services in the Highlands and Islands, and those services which carry passengers at the economy rate, were introduced in April 2001 following the Scottish Executive's representations to the UK Governmen…

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were used in the recent re-appointment of two members to the board of VisitScotland whether any other candidates were considered at that time for nomination to the board and, if so, how many were considered and by what means were they identified

Answer · Alasdair Morrison: The re-appointments were made in accordance with the procedures set down in the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice. Under the terms of the code, members can be re-appointed subject to a satisfactory performance appraisal of their first per…

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to support a route development fund for air links to and from Scotland and, if so, what scheme is under consideration and, if not, what strategy it has for the development of air links

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: There are no specific plans for a route development fund. The Scottish Executive works in partnership with the Enterprise Networks, VisitScotland and the airport operators on how best any available funding can be deployed for the greatest benefit of the Scott…

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide financial support to the Scottish Football Association or any other organisation for the development of a sports campus at Hampden Park.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive does not directly operate a grants programme for the development of sports facilities. Any proposals for the development of facilities adjacent to the National Stadium, the future of which was secured by the Scottish Executive, should b…

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it plans to give to Scottish Football Partnership Ltd.

Answer · Allan Wilson: I hope to make an announcement about the Scottish Football Partnership Ltd in the near future.

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in the event of either no bid being submitted for the European Football Championship in 2008 or a bid being submitted but not being successful, what funding or support will be made available for (a) schools football, (b) football development and (c) full-si'e indoor training facilities.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Regardless of whether a bid is made to host the European Football Championship in 2008, we will continue to support the development of football at all levels including the provision of facilities.<P>Since 1995, over £34 million of Lottery Sports Fund and Exch…

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why the application by the Scottish Football Association to designate Hampden Park on trunk road signs has been refused.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive has not received a formal application from the Scottish Football Association (SFA) for signing for Hampden Park from the trunk road network.<P>Following a preliminary enquiry, the SFA was advised on the procedure to follow in submitting…

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it has made or plans to make available to the Scottish Youth Hostels Association following the recent terrorist attacks in the United States of America as part of any assistance to the tourist industry.

Answer · Alasdair Morrison: I have asked VisitScotland to discuss with the SYHA how best they can help. VisitScotland is working with the industry and is increasing its marketing activities in those countries that offer the best prospect at this time. Funding for VisitScotland is at a r…

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) rapes and (b) attempted rapes have been reported to police in the city of Edinburgh in each year since 1997 and how many convictions were secured following such reports.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Information in the format requested is not held centrally. The available information, on crimes of rape and assault with intent to rape which are recorded by the police, and on persons with a charge proved in court where the main offence was rape or assault w…

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who accompanied the First Minister and the Minister for Lifelong Learning on their recent visit to Finland; whether it will give a detailed breakdown of the costs of the trip and from which expenditure heads were these costs met.

Answer · Henry McLeish: The information is as follows:<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=609><TR><TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">First Minister</TD><TD WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P ALI…

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the route by which the First Minister and the Minister for Lifelong Learning recently travelled to Helsinki.

Answer · Henry McLeish: The Minister for Lifelong Learning and I left Edinburgh to fly to Helsinki via Brussels, and returned to Edinburgh via Copenhagen.

9 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take on its broadband rollout strategy following the recent visit to Finland by the First Minister and the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The visit to Finland met a number of purposes, including informing our approach to broadband. On the latter, Finnish ministers confirmed the importance they place on ensuring that teachers are equipped to make best use of information and communication technol…

8 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown of how much was spent on the bid for the Ryder Cup golf championship and of the expenditure heads from which the money was spent.

Answer · Allan Wilson: In 2000-01 £104,177 was spent on the submission of the Ryder Cup bid, associated costs and consultancies.<P>In 2001-02 £827,155 was spent on the Ryder Cup. Of this £646,500 was spent on supporting golf events and £180,655 was spent on consultancies and other …

8 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any funding pledged for the bid for the Ryder Cup golf championship which is unspent will be made available to VisitScotland or any other organisation for the marketing of golf tourism

Answer · Allan Wilson: Funds identified during the current year for the Ryder Cup bid have been fully allocated. The approach to future years will be discussed further with the Ryder Cup Committee and other parties in the light of the decision that the event will not come to Scotla…

8 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what sum was initially allocated to the Motorola task force and what changes have been made since the initial allocation.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: I announced in Parliament on 25 April that the Executive would set aside up to £10 million to fund measures which may be required by the closure of Motorola's Bathgate plant. Up to £10 million in total remains available.

8 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what period is Mr David Sibbald, its e-commerce advisor, contracted to work for it and what periods he has worked.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: David Sibbald is under contract to the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department of the Executive to provide advice in connection with the recently published broadband strategy.<P>David Sibbald entered into a six-month framework contract with the Executive …

8 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown of the cost of its "Learn to Let Go" advertising campaign.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Expenditure as at 30 September is shown in the table:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=444><TR><TD WIDTH="83%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD><TD WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="TOP"><P ALIGN="CENTER">£</TD></TR><TR><TD WIDTH="83%" VALIGN="TOP"><P>Media Costs (TV,…

2 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff are employed to monitor those people on the register of sex offenders who are currently residing in the City of Edinburgh.

Answer · Jim Wallace: This is a matter for Chief Constables, local authority Social Work Departments and other agencies and individuals who have a responsibility for public protection.

2 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the City of Edinburgh have been placed on the appropriate register of sex offenders in each month since the inception of the register.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The information requested is not held centrally.

2 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17215 by Mr Jim Wallace on 20 August 2001, whether the figures on the total number of persons aged under 16 who were proceeded against on indictments are now available for 2000.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Complete and checked statistical information on court proceedings in 2000 is not yet available. On present plans it is hoped that finalised data will be available to meet requests for analysis by December this year.

2 Oct 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions for the possession of (a) cannabis or (b) cannabis resin in the City of Edinburgh have been brought in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999 and (iv) 2000 and in how many cases the prosecution was dealt with by (1) admonition, (2) fine, (3) community service order or (4) c…

Answer · Jim Wallace: Figures for the number of prosecutions for the possession of cannabis or cannabis resin cannot, from the information held centrally, be separately identified within the total number of prosecutions where the main offence was possession of drugs. The available…