Parliamentary questions

Kenny MacAskill

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

12 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what budgetary allocation, for each of the last four years, has been made to local authorities to make provision for replacement of lead piping within (a) private sector households and (b) public sector households.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: No such allocations are made by the Scottish Executive. It is for local authorities to decide how best to deploy the resources available to them to meet housing need, including the replacement of lead piping.

12 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what is the percentage and number of households who rely on a public water-supply main of lead construction.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: There are no public water supply mains of lead construction. Historically, lead pipes were only used for internal plumbing or for service pipes connecting properties to the main in the street.The new Drinking Water Directive tightens the st…

12 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to undertake a study to establish the extent of lead contamination in the public water supply.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: There is no lead contamination in the public water supply. Lead contamination occurs as a result of the use of lead for internal plumbing or for service pipes which connect properties to the water main in the street. The water authorities own the short length…

10 May 2000 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it now has to promote the re-establishment of the Borders railway.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: A working group of the key stakeholders, led by Scottish Borders Council, has been established to consider how best to take forward the conclusions of the Scottish Borders Railway Feasibility Study.

9 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-4391 by Sarah Boyack on 29 February 2000, whether it will detail, for each study, consultation and report, the date of publication or expected publication and the date made available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The information requested is set out in the following two tables.TRANSPORT<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=5 WIDTH=642><TR><TD WIDTH="65%" VALIGN="TOP">Title</TD><TD WIDTH="12%" VAL…

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its organisational structure is with regard to transport and what the remit is of each element of that structure which has a transport responsibility.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: There are six Transport Divisions covering policy and operational issues and another Division offering economic and statistical advice. All are located within the Transport and Planning Group of the Scottish Executive Development Department.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"…

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it proposes to ensure that Granton Harbour in Edinburgh remains viable for fast ferry services following any redevelopment.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The redevelopment of Granton Harbour is primarily a matter for Forth Ports plc as the statutory harbour authority subject to the relevant planning requirements involved. It is also for the harbour authority and any potential ferry operator to consider the pra…

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive to detail port investment in Scotland, by port, over the last 10 years.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: This information is not held centrally.

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review port investment.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Investment in ports is the responsibility of the individual port and harbour authority owner and operator involved.

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to regulate port charges.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Ports and harbour charges are subject to controls in the Harbours Act and related legislation. These include powers for statutory ports and harbour authorities to levy charges, subject to a statutory right of objection, and related obligations to publish dues…

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for ports and harbours in Scotland.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive plans to develop its devolved responsibilities for ports and harbours policy in Scotland within the integrated transport policy framework set out in the White Paper, Travel Choices for Scotland. The Executive plans to issue a por…

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will create a port and harbours regulator or ombudsman, and what are the reasons for its decision on this matter.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Executive has no plans to create a port and harbours regulator or ombudsman because the need for such a post has not been demonstrated.

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken or plans to take, and what representations it has made or plans to make, regarding the regulation of ports and harbours.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Ports in Scotland are subject to a wide range of statutory and regulatory requirements covering both devolved and reserved responsibilities. The Executive is working with the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions on a wide ranging ports policy …

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive to detail the number of cruise ships docking in Scotland over the last five years on an annual basis and by port.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: This information is not held centrally. Transport Statistics Report: Maritime Statistics provides a wide range of information on UK port traffic movements and it is available through The Stationery Office.

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the advice it sought and obtained regarding the requirement of European legislation and directives to put CalMac routes out to tender and to do so on a two-thirds route basis and whether (a) any such advice was from within its own offices and its own legal advisors;…

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The general policy of the Scottish Executive is that it does not disclose legal advice, nor the fact that it has taken legal advice. It is not considered that there is any reason to depart from that policy in this case.

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-4878 by Susan Deacon on 2 May 2000, whether it will provide details of any representations it has made to the European Community, the European Parliament or the European Union relating to genetically modified organisms during the last six months.

Answer · Susan Deacon: Relations with EU institutions are a reserved matter, responsibility for which lies with the UK Government. Representations to the EU institutions on issues such as GMOs are made on the basis of a common UK line which is developed with the full involvement of…

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation or input it had regarding the English High Court action raised by Greenpeace on the EU Habitat Directives relating to the Atlantic Shelf area and decided on by Lord Justice Kay, and what effect this judgement has had on its policy and powers and those of the Parliament.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive has been fully involved in the UK Government's consideration of this case and its consequences. The implementation of the Habitats Directive beyond the territorial sea remains the reserved matter.

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what response it will give to the Network Management Statement for Railtrack, which schemes it intends to support financially, which it supports in principle, and which it rejects, giving its reasoning in each case.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The project proposals outlined in Railtrack's 2000 Network Management Statement for Scotland will help inform the Scottish Executive's consideration of the strategic priorities for the Scottish railway network. These priorities will underpin the…

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of fuel for vehicles for each police force in each year since 1997.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The cost of fuel for vehicles for each police force in each year since 1997 is shown in the following table.<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=616><TR><TD WIDTH="30%" VALIGN="TOP">Force</TD><TD WIDTH="23%" VALIGN="TOP"><P ALIGN…

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what powers the Strategic Rail Authority has with regard to the appointment and functioning of the Office of the Rail Regulator and how many meetings it has had with the Rail Regulator, detailing dates.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Under Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, the provision and regulation of railway services is a reserved matter. I last met the Rail Regulator on 28 September 1999, and my officials meet his frequently.

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations have been made to the Strategic Rail Authority regarding incremental output statements and what capacity/capability improvements it will support.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive has been consulted, along with the rail industry, by the shadow Strategic Rail Authority on the draft Incremental Output Statements (IOS) for Scotland. Principal responsibility for implementing the agreed IOS will fall to Railtrack. Inc…

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what is the number, extent and identity of fields and play areas lost in the City of Edinburgh since 1997.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: This information is not held centrally.

4 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of what consideration has been or will be given to passenger safety in relation to the tendering for CalMac routes.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Executive attaches high priority to passenger safety in relation to all ferry routes. As in the case of the tendering exercise currently underway for the Northern Isles services, the service specification in relation to CalMac routes, will require the suc…

2 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive to provide details of all payments made from the Public Transport Fund in relation to the pedestrian and cyclist crossing at the City of Edinburgh bypass at Sheriffhall, including the bodies to whom such payments were made; whether, in the light of the Scottish Borders Railway Feasibility…

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Midlothian Council were awarded £802,000 additional capital consent from the second round of the Scottish Executive's Public Transport Fund towards the cost of a bridge to take cyclists and pedestrians across the Edinburgh City Bypass at Sheriffhall. The allo…

2 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-4512 by Sarah Boyack on 25 April 2000, whether it will receive any of the savings arising from the reduction in future franchise payments and, if so, whether this money will be reinvested in the rail industry or in public transport.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The general saving to the Exchequer represented by the reduction of payments to all 25 rail passenger franchises is one of many factors influencing the consideration of UK public spending priorities. Such savings are amongst the many factors that influence th…

2 May 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many custodial sentences were imposed in Edinburgh Sheriff Court in each of the years from 1993 to 1997 inclusive.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The number of custodial sentences imposed by Edinburgh Sheriff Court between 1993 and 1997 are as follows:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=508><TR><TD WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1993</TD><TD WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP"><P ALIGN="J…

27 Apr 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive to detail the central and local government expenditure on the Fife/Edinburgh Park and Ride bus scheme in terms of each contributing body and the categories of expenditure.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The details in relation to Fife Council's A90 Ferrytoll Park and Ride scheme and the City of Edinburgh Council's A90 bus priority measures are:Fife Council's A90 Ferrytoll Park and Ride Bus SchemeThe Scottish Offic…

27 Apr 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any representations made regarding light rail and the ability of light rail vehicles to travel on heavy gauge rail.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive has not received any representations regarding light rail and the ability of light rail vehicles to travel on heavy gauge rail.

27 Apr 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail its powers and remit in relation to rail safety, what lines of communication it has with any relevant bodies and what its powers are in relation to the appointment and supervision of those bodies.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Under Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, the provision and regulation of railway services, which includes railway safety, is a reserved matter. This reservation applies to appointments to and supervision of relevant bodies.The Scottish Ex…

26 Apr 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps or representations it intends to make, and to whom, to ensure a distinctive Scottish identification plate for motoring purposes.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I refer Mr MacAskill to my answer of 20 January (S1W-3247).