Parliamentary questions

Phil Gallie

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

17 Jan 2007 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what impact there has been on government expenditure and revenue in Scotland arising from the increase in the number of tourists visiting Scotland in 2006.

Answer · Tom McCabe: We very much welcome the increasein the number of tourists visiting Scotland in 2006. During the first nine months of 2006, overseastourist numbers have risen by 14 per cent and tourism is currently worth £4.2 billion a year to the Scottish economy.Vis…

10 Jan 2007 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken to assist Scottish business to increase revenue earnings as a result of the 2007 enlargement of the European Union.

Answer · Allan Wilson: One of the functions of ScottishDevelopment International (SDI), the trade and investment arm of the Scottish Executive,is to help Scottish companies do more business overseas, and to promote Scotland as agood place to live, work and do business. SDI helps Sc…

9 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-29320 by Cathy Jamieson on 8 November 2006, whether it will confirm that at the time of an accused’s appearance in court the sheriff or judge will have available a full record of any outstanding bail orders against the accused.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: At the time of an accused’s appearancein court the judge will have available the complaint which will show outstandingbail orders. The Crown can also refer to any matter which might assist the courtin coming to a decision about bail, including police informat…

27 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is possible for an individual charged with a number of serious offences in separate incidents to be given bail in respect of each offence.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The decision as to whether togrant bail in individual cases is a matter for the judiciary, and is not an issuein which ministers can intervene. The court should reach an independent and impartialdecision on bail in relation to a particular offence, based on t…

26 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the police and the Procurator Fiscal Service give priority to cases of neighbour dispute where there is a racial dimension.

Answer · Elish Angiolini: All racistincidents are fully investigated by the police. Where sufficient evidence exists,these matters are reported to either the Procurator Fiscal or the Reporter to theChildren’s Panel.The Crown Office and ProcuratorFiscal Service (COPFS) is commit…

15 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what testing of drainage was undertaken at the Turnberry sewage pumping station prior to the specification for drainage provision being agreed with the successful contractor.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-28420 on 29 September 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’swebsite, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webap…

15 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what cost has been incurred by Scottish Water as a result of any delay in the adoption of the Turnberry sewage pumping station.

15 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the reasons for any delay which Scottish Water has encountered in adopting the Turnberry sewage pumping station.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: No. This is an operational matterfor Scottish Water. I have asked the Chief Executive to reply to you directly.

4 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the disability living allowance allocated to inmates in Scottish prisons is paid to the Scottish Prison Service.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:None. I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-28097 on 6 October 2006. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available…

4 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many inmates in Scottish prisons are in receipt of the disability living allowance.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:As far as we are aware, no prisonersin Scottish Prisons should be receiving disability living allowance. The SPS haveimplemented a S…

4 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the disability living allowance allocated to patients at the State Hospital, Carstairs, is returned to the hospital to fund carers.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-28095 on 14 September 2006. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp…

4 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients at the State Hospital, Carstairs, are in receipt of the disability living allowance.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: I understand there are no patientsat The State Hospital in receipt of the disability living allowance. The allowancewill usually stop after an adult has been in hospital for more than four weeks,or a child under 16, after 12 weeks.Policy and operation …

28 Aug 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has carried out into links between cessation of smoking and obesity.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive has notcommissioned any research on links between cessation of smoking and obesity andcurrently has no plans to do so.

26 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out into motor cyclist safety regarding the provision of wire rope central reservation divisions on Scottish roads.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive hasnot commissioned any research into motor cyclist safety regarding the provisionof wire rope central reservation divisions on Scottish roads. However, TransportScotland has briefed a consultant to undertake a research study looking di…

26 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on accidents involving motor cyclists on motorways or duelled sections of road where a wire rope rather than solid section central reservation division is provided.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Since the introduction ofwire rope safety fencing in the early 1990s, 31 injury accidents have beenrecorded involving motorcycles hitting centre reserve safety barrier onScottish trunk roads. Seven of these accidents involved wire rope safety fence,the other …

26 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the STAG1 report on the Maybole bypass commissioned by the Minister for Transport in 2003.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The report on the STAG 1transport study for Maybole was published on 29 June 2006.

21 Jun 2006 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to implement the European Landscape Convention.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The UK Governmentwith Scottish Executive support has agreed to ratify the European Landscape Convention. The processof formal ratification will be concluded later this year.The convention serves to highlightthe importance of landscape considerations in…

22 May 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the public notice, located at Whitletts Roundabout on the A77, which advises that work will start on 8 May 2006 and continue for 119 days, indicates that the contract is placed on a fixed-time basis and, if so, whether there is a penalty clause included in the contract should the …

Answer · Tavish Scott: The contractor for the worksat Whitletts Roundabout submitted a tender which specified that the works wouldbe completed in 119 days subject to a bonus/penalty charge for each day thework is completed either ahead of or behind schedule. The contract does,howev…

20 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23727 by Ross Finnie on 16 March 2006, whether the normal time period for consultation is three months and, if so, why this timescale was reduced for the consultation exercise on proposed legislation to provide improved powers for the enforcement of …

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive’s policyis that consultation exercises must allow a minimum of 12 weeks for responses, exceptin exceptional circumstances. The duration of the consultation exercise on the proposedlegislation to provide improved Regulating Order enforce…

20 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-12191 by Euan Robson on 24 November 2004, whether it has received a report of the research commissioned by the Social Work Inspectorate into kinship care in Scotland; whether the report has yet been published and, if not, why the Executive has not f…

Answer · Robert Brown: Scottish ministers have not yetreceived this report but expect to receive it as part of the supporting documentsto the review of services and outcomes for Looked After Children being undertakenby the Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA).We understand t…

2 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the consultation paper on proposed legislation to give powers to enforce regulating powers in respect of fishing was launched and when the consultation period ended.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The consultation exercise onproposed legislation to provide improved powers for the enforcement of RegulatingOrders began on 18 January 2006 and ended on 15 February 2006. Subsequently, those organisations which indicated to the Executive thatthey would have …

2 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many regulating orders in respect of fishing were in place at 31 December 2005; what organisations were in possession of such orders, and what record of enforcement action taken under the orders is available for publication.

Answer · Ross Finnie: One Regulating Order was inplace as at 31 December 2005, the grantee being the Shetland Shellfish ManagementOrganisation. The Scottish Executive holds no record of enforcement actiontaken under this Order.

2 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what additional cash and manpower will be required by the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency if it assumes policing responsibilities in respect of regulating orders.

Answer · Ross Finnie: In the 2004 Spending Reviewthe gross operating budget for the agency was increased by £2.195 million (to£19.499 million) and £4.318 million (to £21.622 million) in 2006-07 and 2007-08respectively. The 2006-07 Budget approved by the Parliament for gross agency…

27 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is an ongoing review of apportionment of quota between the sector and non-sector parts of the prawn fishing fleet and, if so, what the reason is for such a review.

Answer · Ross Finnie: In the wake of significant uplift in the quotas for North sea and West Coast nephrops, the Executive, in discussion with other UK fisheries administrations, is considering whether there is a case to look at a methodology other than the normal fixed quota allo…

27 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the reason is for a delay in advising west coast fishermen of their revised prawn catch allocation.

Answer · Ross Finnie: In the wake of significant uplift in the quotas for North Sea and West Coast nephrops, the Executive, in discussion with other UK fisheries administrations, is considering whether there is a case to look at a methodology other than the normal fixed quota allo…

22 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps the Scottish Executive will take to clarify current practice and policy in respect of fingerprinting, following reported comments by the Head of the Scottish Fingerprint Service which may have an impact on the validity of fingerprint verification as carried out by the Scottish …

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: All officers in the Scottish Fingerprint Service (SFS) carry out their work in line with international standards. They all agree that fingerprint evidence is expert opinion of identification based on the scientific fact that fingerprints are unique to every i…

28 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all European Court of Human Rights cases which have involved Scotland and give details of the subsequent impact on Scots law of these cases.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The European Court of Human Rights maintains a database of cases that have been taken to it for consideration,which is available on the internet at:<ahref="http://cmiskp.echr.coe.int/tkp197/search.asp?skin=hudoc-en">http://cmiskp.echr.coe.int/tkp197/se…

28 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all changes to legislation that have followed the incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into Scots law.

Answer · Hugh Henry: Since the Scotland Act came into force on 1 July 1999 all legislation enacted by the Scottish Parliament has required to comply with the convention rights as defined in the Human Rights Act 1998, and members of the Scottish Executive have had no power to make…

25 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what reports it has received of contributions to the Committee of the Regions meeting in Brussels on 12 October 2005 made by those members appointed by the Parliament to represent it on the committee.

Answer · Tom McCabe: None.

25 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister has produced a report in respect of his attendance at the Committee of the Regions meeting in Brussels on 12 October 2005 and, if so, whether the report will be published.

Answer · Tom McCabe: No. In respect of the First Minister’s attendance at the Committee of the Regions (CoR) plenary on 13 October, the CoR makes minutes of its meetings available on its Transfer of Administrative Documents (TOAD) website, a link to which can be found on the Scot…