Parliamentary questions
Kenny MacAskill
2,611 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
2 Oct 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases relating to the possession of (a) cannabis or (b) cannabis resin in the City of Edinburgh were reported to the Procurators Fiscal in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999 and (iv) 2000 and how many cases were dealt with by (1) a warning letter or (2) a fixed penalty notice.
Answer · Colin Boyd: Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service records relating to reports under section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 do not distinguish between the different controlled drugs to which that section relates and the information is, accordingly, not available.
2 Oct 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions police officers have (a) been issued with firearms and (b) responded to incidents involving arms on a monthly basis since May 1999.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The information requested is not held centrally. However, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary annual statistical returns show that between 1 April 1999 and 31 March 2000, there were 141 operations in Scotland for which firearms were issued to the polic…
2 Oct 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) assaults, (b) robberies and (c) other criminal acts have been committed against visitors to the City of Edinburgh in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999 and (iv) 2000.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The information requested is not held centrally.
27 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what budget is allocated and what expenditure is so far committed to the publication of Communique: The Scottish Executive's Newsletter on Europe and External Relations; how many editions the newsletter is expected to run for; how many copies of each edition will be printed, and to what r…
Answer · Jack McConnell: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18536 on 9 October 2001.
27 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many accidents have occurred in each month of each year since 1997 on the A90 between the Forth Road Bridge and Cramond Bridge.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Data about injury road accidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the STATS 19 statistical report form. These returns cover only road accidents in which one or more people were injured: they do not cover damage-only acc…
27 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18071 by Mr Jim Wallace on 25 September 2001, how many convictions resulted in (a) a custodial sentence, (b) a community service order and (c) a fine (i) in each year since 1999 and (ii) broken down by offence.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The available information is given in the table. Data for the year 2000 are not yet available.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Persons with a charge proved for possession of an offensive weapon, Edinburgh <SUP>(1)</SUP>, 1999<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 C…
27 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to the Six Nations Committee and European Cup Ltd, Scottish Rugby Union, the BBC or other bodies regarding the suggested staging of fixtures in the Six Nations Championships on Friday nights.
Answer · Allan Wilson: None. The staging of fixtures in the Six Nations Championship is a matter for the Championship Committee.
27 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many traffic incidents on the A90 from the Forth Road Bridge to Cramond Bridge have been related to the installation of traffic lights for the bus lane.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The A90 between the Forth Road Bridge and Cramond Bridge is classified as a local road. Traffic management and road safety measures on that section of road are therefore matters for the City of Edinburgh Council.<P>Data about injury road accidents are collect…
25 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or plans to make to Railtrack on progress in taking forward the proposals set out in Railtrack's 2001 Network Management Statement and in particular those relating to (a) the Larkhall to Milngavie rail scheme, including the re-opening of the Maryhill to An…
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with Railtrack on a wide range of issues.
25 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding for marketing will be made available to VisitScotland following the terrorist attack in the United States of America.
Answer · Alasdair Morrison: We are urgently assessing the likely effect of the current world situation on the tourism industry. However, VisitScotland funding this year is at a record level. As an immediate measure, it is working on up-weighting spend in the UK domestic and European mar…
25 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what staff it has seconded or transferred to the Scottish Football Association or any other organisation to assist with the feasibility study on a bid to host the European Football Championships in 2008.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Following completion of the initial feasibility study in May, Mr John Henderson was seconded from the Scottish Executive to the Scottish Football Association to assist with the SFA's consideration of whether to bid for the 2008 event.
25 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much finance it has set aside for the feasibility study into hosting the European Football Championships in 2008.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The study into the feasibility of hosting the European Nations Football Championships in 2008 was completed in May of this year. The Executive was not involved in meeting the costs of the study. My response to question S1W-17453 on 5 September set out the con…
25 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a detailed breakdown of what has been spent to date on the preparatory work for a possible bid to host the European Football Championship in 2008.
Answer · Allan Wilson: My answer to question S1W-17453 on 5 September set out the details of the contributions made by public bodies to the costs of the Euro 2008 feasibility study. The Executive has seconded Mr John Henderson to the Scottish Football Association as part of the tea…
25 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funds it plans to make available to low cost or other carriers seeking to open up new routes from England to destinations in Scotland following the recent terrorist attacks in the United States of America.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive has no specific budget provision for the promotion of new direct air links. The Executive will continue to have discussions with its agencies (enterprise networks and VisitScotland) on how best any available funding can be deployed for …
25 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was consulted about the impact the introduction of the proposed Aggregates Tax will have on the matters within its responsibility, whether it has made any representations on the introduction of the tax and, if so, where details of such representations can be accessed by the pu…
Answer · Angus MacKay: The Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a range of issues, including tax issues.
21 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the recent terrorist attacks in the USA will have on its strategy for tourism.
Answer · Alasdair Morrison: The impact of the recent tragic events on the tourism industry will be taken into account in the review of our tourism strategy, which was already under way. On marketing, for example, VisitScotland has already indicated that changes will be made. We intend t…
21 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funds or support will be made available to low cost or other carriers seeking to open up new routes to European destinations following the recent terrorist attacks in the USA.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive has no specific budget provision for the promotion of international links. The Executive will continue to have discussions with its agencies (enterprise networks and VisitScotland) on how best any available funding can be deployed for t…
21 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any financial support made available to Continental Airlines to operate a direct flight between Edinburgh and Newark, USA will be made available to a low cost airline or other carriers seeking to open up links with new destinations in Europe should Continental Airlines not procee…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: No additional resources have made been available by the Scottish Executive for the establishment of any direct air services between Edinburgh and the USA.
18 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many senior executives have left Scottish Enterprise during the past 12 months; how much was paid to them in the form of (a) retirement, (b) redundancy and (c) other termination of contract settlements; whether any of them received more than their statutory financial entitlement at th…
Answer · Wendy Alexander: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. This information is not held centrally.
18 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding was made available for the grass roots development of football in each year since 1999; what the amount was of each grant awarded for this purpose, and to whom each grant was awarded.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The information requested is not readily available and cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost.<B><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">sport</B>scotland operate a number of grants programmes which are open to sports governing bodies and other organisations involved in…
14 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources will be made available to Lothian and Borders Police in view of any increased security requirements in Edinburgh as a result of international terrorism.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Forces have sufficient funds to meet the existing policing requirements of their area and funding for the police service is currently at record levels. However, all forces continually review their requirements in light of local needs and circumstances. Where …
13 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources will be made available to Lothian and Borders Police in respect of increased visits to the Parliament and Edinburgh by high profile or VIP visitors and tourists.
Answer · Jim Wallace: £117,436 is being made available to Lothian and Borders Police this year for their Parliamentary Police Unit to supplement funding provided by the Parliament. The additional funding will enable Lothian and Borders to maintain an enhanced police presence in or…
13 Sep 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer what high profile or VIP visits to the Parliament are planned between now and 31 December 2001.
Answer · David Steel: The high-profile or VIP official visits to the Parliament of which my office is currently aware expected between now and 31 December 2001 are set out below. In addition, we expect that committees, individual MSPs or cross-party groups will receive distinguis…
13 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what high profile or VIP visits to Edinburgh are planned between now and 31 December 2001.
Answer · Jack McConnell: By their nature, VIP visits tend to be arranged and confirmed at fairly short notice. Details of VIP visits and high profile events, however, are not normally made public until the arrangements have been finalised and have been agreed by the visitor or event …
13 Sep 2001 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Presiding Officer what high profile or VIP visits to, or events in, the Parliament are planned as a result of the Queen's jubilee in 2002.
Answer · David Steel: I expect that the Scottish Parliament will want to mark Her Majesty The Queen's Golden jubilee in 2002. The exact nature of any event is still to be discussed by the Parliamentary Bureau and any Bureau proposals will be brought forward in due course for the P…
13 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what high profile or VIP visits to, or events in, Edinburgh are planned as a result of the Queen's jubilee in 2002.
Answer · Henry McLeish: The arrangements for Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee are in the first instance a matter for Buckingham Palace. However, as I indicated in the answer to question S1W-11479 on 22 June this year, The Queen will visit Scotland from 23 to 29 May 2002 and, as previous…
12 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that Scotland's interests are represented in the work of the Office of Communications (OFCOM).
Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Executive is working to ensure Scotland's needs are represented within OFCOM. We are currently discussing Scotland's position with the UK Government and will have opportunity to comment formally during the consultation period planned for next yea…
12 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government in support of the establishment of a Scottish committee of the Office of Communications (OFCOM) and how it will monitor the work of OFCOM as it relates to Scotland.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues, including Scottish representation within OFCOM.
12 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will monitor local loop unbundling throughout Scotland.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: Oftel monitors BT's delivery of unbundling facilities throughout the UK on an on-going basis.
12 Sep 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for local loop unbundling throughout Scotland.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: Operators can order unbundling services at any exchange in the UK. Since April 2001, BT has stated that it can resource any requests for unbundling on a "business as usual" basis. However, it is a commercial decision for operators where they want to…