Parliamentary questions

Nick Johnston

166 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

18 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a scheme similar to one announced by the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to give cash bonuses to small businesses who achieve the position of three quarters of their staff participating in subsidised training schemes.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: I am keen to explore ways of encouraging owners and employees of small businesses to take up more learning opportunities and in particular to encourage them to take advantage of the financial incentives now available through Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs…

17 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which areas in Scotland will benefit from the provision of cheap old computers as outlined by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his announcement of 11 October 2000 at the UK Internet Summit.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The "wired-up communities" initiative referred to by the Chancellor on 11 October uses computers from the Computers Within Reach scheme, which is being piloted by the DfEE in England.As a part of the Digital Scotland initiative th…

16 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of carrying out all outstanding repairs to all roads within Mid Scotland and Fife and what the timetable is for carrying out such repairs.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Repairs to the trunk road network in Scotland (and hence Mid Scotland and Fife) are carried out on an ongoing basis. Programmes of work are developed based on need and carried out by order of priority. Annual budgets are set to ensure this work is undertaken …

16 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what projections it has for the number of vehicles per day using the proposed ro-ro ferry at Rosyth; where the traffic will come from, and what routes it will use to and from the ferry terminal.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The capacity of the ships proposed would allow 100 trucks and 120 private cars to be carried each way per day. Although the issue of access has been considered as part of the development of this project, detailed route planning for cars and trucks to and from…

16 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will increase the statutory consultation period for community councils to make comments to local authorities on planning applications and Notices of Intention to Develop.

Answer · Sam Galbraith: The Scottish Executive has no plans to increase the statutory consultation period for community councils.

10 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the next round of successful bids for support from the Public Transport Fund will be announced.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: I expect to announce awards from the Public Transport Fund shortly.

5 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to establish a central registry of charity shops.

Answer · Jim Wallace: An independent Commission to review and reform charity law in Scotland was established on 29 March and is due to report back to me by Easter 2001. The commission recently issued a consultation document and I understand that some respondents to this exercise h…

5 Oct 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any system within the prison service which monitors educational and employment qualifications gained by inmates.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:A system has been developed to record the number of Scottish Qualifications Authority courses to be completed by prisoners. No …

21 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8076 by Mr Jim Wallace on 25 August 2000, when it will announce what action it intends to take on high hedges in the light of the response to its consultation paper of January 2000.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Evaluation of responses to the consultation paper issued on 12 January 2000 is almost complete and I will make an announcement later this year.

21 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many drug counsellors and social workers are employed in each penal establishment in Scotland.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:It should be noted that due to the mixture of part and full-time and split duties of those involved in working with prisoners'…

19 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many allegations of intimidation against fuel tanker drivers were made during the period 7 September 2000 to 18 September 2000, how many of these have been fully investigated and whether any persons have been charged with criminal offences as a result of such allegations.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I understand that no formal complaints were made to the police regarding intimidation against fuel tanker drivers in Scotland during the period 7 to 18 September 2000.

19 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what impact changes in the level of charges on rail freight services have had on the distribution of fuel and other goods in recent months.

Answer · Sarah Boyack: Fuel movement by rail is very limited. In relation to other goods, businesses will need to make their assessment of costs and take commercial decisions accordingly.

19 Sep 2000 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers were removed from normal operational duties to police the recent protest at Grangemouth oil refinery and how many police man-hours were involved in this exercise over the period 7 September 2000 to 18 September 2000.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I refer Nick Johnston to the answer I gave to question S1W-9849.