Parliamentary questions

Kenny MacAskill

2,611 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

3 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to promote Prestwick Airport as an Enterprise Zone.

Answer · Henry McLeish: The criteria for the creation of Enterprise Zones are a reserved matter. However, the Scottish Executive has no plans at present to promote the creation of an Enterprise Zone for Prestwick Airport. Together with other agencies, we are continuing our efforts t…

3 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to promote a fuel voucher scheme for tourists.

Answer · Henry McLeish: We have no plans to do so.

3 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Cabinet Office regarding ongoing research projects in devolved areas controlled by research councils which are reserved.

Answer · Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues, including research.

3 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what science, engineering and other research bodies are accountable to it; what powers of direction, guidance and instruction are available to it in relation to each; what current programmes or studies are ongoing at the behest of those bodies, and what level of funding has been made avai…

Answer · Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive commissions a programme of research in agricultural, biological and related sciences from the five Scottish Agricultural and Biological Research Institutes, the Scottish Agricultural College and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The o…

3 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9312 by Nicol Stephen on 12 September 2000, who the industry and government members of the pilot task force are, how the members were appointed and by whom; how it is accountable to the Executive, and what powers of instruction, direction and guidanc…

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The individuals from companies in the oil and gas sector, trade unions and Government departments who form Pilot were invited to be members by Helen Liddell, DTI Minister for Energy. The list of members is given below. Pilot is not accountable to the Scottish…

14 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9166 by Sarah Boyack on 13 September 2000, what projected timescale for development is contained in the detailed bid for the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit Scheme.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The City of Edinburgh Council's original bid to the Transport Challenge Fund envisaged that the project would be operational in 2001. It is now understood from the council that, due to delays related to the preparation of a Parliamentary Order and the develop…

12 Sep 2000 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what recent representations it has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the current level of fuel tax and its impact on the Scottish economy.

Answer · Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including that of the impact of fuel costs on the Scottish economy.

11 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1943 by Sarah Boyack on 22 November 1999 and to question S1W-9177, whether it will provide a breakdown of the current modal forms of access available to the public to its office at Victoria Quay.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The information requested is not available.

11 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what mileage rates have been paid to Scottish Office/Executive staff on an annual basis since 1997.

Answer · Jack McConnell: The information requested is as follows:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=618><TR><TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP">Year</TD><TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP">Mileage Rates Paid</TD></TR><TR><TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP">1998-1999</…

7 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to implement "Smart Measures" such as ramp metering, variable message signs and variable speed limits on the M8 such as currently used by the Highways Agency on the M25.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The "Smart Measures" that are in place on the M8 include the following:Ramp Metering - the Scottish Executive has been at the forefront of the development of ramp metering in the UK and presently has a very successful site operating …

7 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8302 by Sarah Boyack on 22 August 2000, to what conditions awards of Regional Selective Assistance towards start-up international air service projects are subject, and what timescales apply to any such conditions and any Regional Selective Assistance…

Answer · Henry McLeish: Offers of assistance to start-up international air service projects would be subject to standard conditions attached to all Regional Selective Assistance offers and specific conditions tailored to the grant-assisted project. All conditions would be set out in…

7 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8302 by Sarah Boyack on 22 August 2000, what Regional Selective Assistance has been or is being sought towards start-up international air service projects.

Answer · Henry McLeish: The Executive does not at present have any applications or enquiries for Regional Selective Assistance towards start-up international air services projects.

7 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8302 by Sarah Boyack on 22 August 2000, what the criteria are for considering applications for Regional Selective Assistance towards start-up international air service projects.

Answer · Henry McLeish: All applications for Regional Selective Assistance, including those which relate to start-up international air services projects, must meet in full the criteria of the scheme, which are as follows:(i)	projects must be undertaken in the A…

6 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9009 by Henry McLeish on 5 September 2000, why it expects that an increase in the number of liquid petroleum gas outlets would have a positive impact on tourism and, in particular, what assumptions underpin this expectation and whether it will quanti…

Answer · Henry McLeish: Greater availability of LPG will increase choice for the visitor, and will encourage the option of LPG vehicles. Increased usage of LPG will result in reduced costs and could therefore encourage visitors to travel more widely within Scotland. Tourists from co…

5 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all the public bodies for which each Department and Minister is responsible, giving the level of accountability to the Minister for each one.

Answer · Angus MacKay: The list of public bodies, including Executive, Advisory and Tribunal Non-Departmental Public Bodies, NHS Bodies, state owned companies and public corporations, and the sponsor departments is given below. Under section 57 of the Scotland Act, the Scottish Exe…

5 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why Edinburgh Park railway station remains the responsibility of City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit and is not an integral part of the City of Edinburgh Crossrail scheme.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Both developments are local transport projects and as such are the responsibility of the City of Edinburgh Council.

5 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote air freight at Wick Airport.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: This is a matter for Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd who, in partnership with relevant public and private sector organisations, are continually engaged in the process of promoting and bringing more business to Wick Airport.

5 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote Wick Airport.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-9633 on 19 September 2000.

4 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has sought to persuade the European Commission that all Caledonian MacBrayne routes should be put out to tender as one bundle and whether it intends to take any further steps in this respect.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-9567 on 13 September.

4 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision will be made on how to proceed with the tendering of Caledonian MacBrayne routes and when the tendering exercise is expected to begin.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I will consider options and plan to make decisions on the way forward as soon as possible. However, the timescale will depend, in part, on consultation with the European Commission. The Executive aims to begin implementing the tendering programme in 2001 in t…

4 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will cost Caledonian MacBrayne to prepare for the tendering of its routes and whether any additional funding is being provided to meet any such costs.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd will consider the likely cost of bidding for its present routes in detail once we have announced the outcome of the "Delivering Lifeline Ferry Services" consultation exercise, particularly on matters such as route bundling f…

4 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether a regulator will be appointed to supervise the franchise or franchises following the tendering of Caledonian MacBrayne routes and, if so, who would appoint and fund the regulator and to whom the regulator would be accountable.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: No decisions have yet been taken. The Executive has made representations to the European Commission in light of my statement to Parliament and is currently considering the way forward in relation to tendering the Calmac services, including the question of reg…

4 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the recent court ruling in Germany that the German Baltic Sea ferry port of Puttgarden must not be opened to competitor lines by its owner and whether it has taken any action in relation to the proposed tendering of Caledonian MacBrayne routes in response to this ru…

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Executive is aware of a recent court ruling in Germany in which the court decided that a ferry operator could remain the sole operator from a particular port owned by that operator. However, it is understood that the court has not yet given the reasons fo…

30 Aug 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance was given and to which organisations to obtain and maintain a direct air link between Scotland and Vienna.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive has provided no assistance to any organisation to obtain and maintain a direct air link between Scotland and Vienna. The Scottish Tourist Board has, however, provided some financial support towards the promotion of this service.