Parliamentary questions
Richard Lochhead
2,448 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
10 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on drug-driving testing kits in each of the last five years, including 2006, broken down by police force area and showing year-on-year percentage changes.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: This information is not held centrally.</p>
10 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been arrested for drug-driving offences in each of the last five years, including 2006, broken down by police force area and showing year-on-year percentage changes.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The following tables give the number of drunk or drug-driving offences (including those involving the refusal to provide a test or sample) recorded by each police force over the last five financial years. The available data does not allow those offences where…
6 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the technical basis upon which the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route decision was made and, if so, on what date the information will be published.
Answer · Tavish Scott: Various technical reports have been published and are available for download from the project website <a href="http://www.awpr.co.uk/">www.awpr.co.uk</a>.</p> <p>Transport Scotland has the operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for mor…
4 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many police stations were closed in each police force area in (a) 2003, (b) 2004, (c) 2005, and (d) 2003 to 2005, also stating what percentage of the total number of police stations in each force area the figures represented.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The information requested isnot held in the format requested or for all of the time periods stipulated. I referthe member to the answers to questions, S2W-9973 and S2W-10733 on 9 and 29 September2004 respectively. All answers to written parliamentary question…
4 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the European Commission in respect of the reintroduction of schemes to assist the conversion of road vehicles to run on clean fuels.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The overall position on the issue is as described in the answer to question S2W-22006 on 27 January 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search engine for which can be found at:</p> <p><a href="ht…
4 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to resume schemes to assist the conversion of road vehicles to run on clean fuels.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: A number of new grants programmes to incentivise the development and take-up of cleaner fuels and vehicles, regardless of the technology or fuel type, have been notified to the European Commission for State Aid clearance by the Department for Transport on beh…
22 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures designed to help small and medium-sized companies to break into export markets have been introduced since 1999.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive provides a wide range of support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they work to break into export markets.</p> <p>Specific measures introduced since 1999 to improve the service to business include:</p><p>Bringing together …
22 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the levels of long-term industrial investment have been in each year since 1992, showing year-on-year percentage changes.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: It is not possible to answer this question from the data held centrally. The Office for National Statistics collects information on Net Capital Expenditure through the Annual Business Inquiry. This survey does not, however, cover investment from all industria…
22 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been implemented since 1999 to enable Scottish Enterprise to work with venture capital funds and banks to create higher levels of long-term industrial investment in Scotland.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: Scottish Enterprise works closely with the financial community, including venture capital funds and banks, to assess the investment market in Scotland. This has led to initiatives such as the Business Growth Fund and the Scottish Co-investment Fund being intr…
22 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken since 1999 to (a) provide and (b) promote or encourage the provision of long-term debt and equity facilities for small and medium-sized companies.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The delivery of business support is mainly a matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. A number of measures have been introduced to improve the provisions of finances for small and medium-sized companies, including the Business Grow…
22 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the availability of long-term debt and equity facilities for small and medium-sized companies.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive keeps the availability of business finance under regular review, drawing on a range of sources. For example, an analysis of the equity market in Scotland is today published by Scottish Enterprise, and is available in the Scottish Parlia…
22 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been implemented since 1999 to (a) provide and (b) promote or encourage the provision of seed capital to small and medium-sized companies.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The delivery of business support is mainly a matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Within the range of business support provided by the enterprise networks, initiatives such as the Business Growth Fund and Scottish Co-investment…
22 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any assessment has been made of the availability of seed capital for small and medium-sized companies and, if so, what the findings were of the assessment.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: A detailed report on the investment market in Scotland is being published by Scottish Enterprise today. Copies of the report are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 38742).</p>
21 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken since 1999 to enable Scottish innovations to be translated quickly and efficiently into commercial products.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: As part of its pipeline of support, the Scottish Executive and its agencies have a range of initiatives in place to assist Scottish innovations. These include:</p> <p>the ICASS (Innovators’ Counselling and Advisory Service for Scotland) service, which provide…
21 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been introduced since 1999 to assist small businesses to upgrade their skills base.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Since 1999, we have collectivelydeveloped and implemented a number of measures designed to enable businesses inScotland to build and upgrade their skills base. Scottish Enterprise, Highlands andIslands Enterprise and <i>learndirect </i><i>scotland</i> provide…
21 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken since 1999 to allow companies to benefit from pan-European programmes for technology transfer.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: A range of support is in place to help companies in Scotland benefit from pan-European programmes for technology transfer.</p> <p>The Innovation Relay Centre (IRC) Scotland assists Scottish organisations in Transnational Technology Transfer (TTT) through the …
21 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been introduced since 1999 to bring together universities, businesses, research institutes and colleges to ensure that companies have the earliest opportunity to benefit from the newest technologies.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The main measures introduced since 1999 which are aimed at facilitating knowledge transfer from the research base to companies are shown in the following table. Further information and plans for future activity in this area are provided in the Scottish Execut…
9 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent it would have a role in any decision to extend the life of existing nuclear power stations and whether any further consents would be required should any such decision involve refurbishment or new construction.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Any decision to allow an extension to the life of an existing power station would be for the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, the independent body which sets the duration and conditions of the relevant operating licences..</p> <p>The consent of Scottish mi…
9 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether waste is, or has been in any of the last three years, exported for recycling purposes and, if so, whether it will provide a breakdown of (a) volumes and (b) locations.
Answer · Ross Finnie: This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Executive. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency holds some information on exports of materials from Scottish ports when the legislation requires such exports to be notified.</p>
9 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether waste is, or has been in any of the last three years, exported for landfill purposes and, if so, whether it will provide a breakdown of (a) volumes and (b) locations.
Answer · Ross Finnie: This information is not held centrally. Under the provisions of the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 1994 waste may generally be exported only for recovery. Enforcement of these Regulations in Scotland is an operational matter for the Scottish Envi…
8 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients have been sent outwith Scotland for residential drug treatment in each of the last five years (a) in total and (b) broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Hugh Henry: The following table shows the number of clients sent to residential drug and alcohol treatment facilities outwith Scotland from 2001 to 2005, broken down by NHS board, as reported by alcohol and drug action teams in their annual corporate action plans. We can…
6 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the First Minister was informed of the UK Government's decision to announce a 20% supplementary corporation tax rate on oil and gas producers; how he responded, and whether he has issued any direct response to the UK Government since the announcement.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-21461 on 19 December 2005. 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/…
6 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister was consulted by the UK Government prior to the announcement of a 20% supplementary corporation tax rate on oil and gas producers and, if so, whether it will provide details of his response.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-21461 on 19 December 2005. 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/w…
6 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent it expects the imposition of a 20% supplementary corporation tax rate on oil and gas producers to affect the (a) north-east’s and (b) Scottish economy.
Answer · Allan Wilson: This issue is reserved to the UK Government. Due to the nature of the North Sea fiscal regime and the levels of long-term investment, it is unlikely that there will be any significant effect on investment or employment in either the north east or in Scotland …
6 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning was informed of the UK Government's decision to announce a 20% supplementary corporation tax rate on oil and gas producers; how he responded, and whether he has issued any direct response to the UK Government…
Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-21461 on 19 December 2005. 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/…
6 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning was consulted by the UK Government prior to the announcement of a 20% supplementary corporation tax rate on oil and gas producers and, if so, whether it will provide details of his response.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-21461 on 19 December 2005. 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/…
6 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the Minister for Environment and Rural Development’s participation in the recent climate change talks in Montreal.
Answer · Ross Finnie: he Climate Leaders’ Summit hosted by Québec and Manitoba brought together representatives of federal states, regions, devolved governments and major corporations from around the world. The main outcome of this summit was the signing of a declaration: this rec…
6 Dec 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many wind farm applications it has (a) approved and (b) rejected in the last five years and how many applications are awaiting a decision.
Answer · Allan Wilson: In the last five years the Scottish ministers in exercise of their powers under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 have granted consent for 11 wind farms. In the same period no wind farm applications were refused. Currently 31 further such applications ar…
30 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether its plans to allow NHS boards to contract locally for services such as out-of-hours, oral surgery and special needs which are not part of the national arrangements for NHS dentistry, as referred to in An Action Plan for Improving Oral Health and Modernising NHS Dental Services in …
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: No. Contracts will require to be with those dentists or bodies corporate on the relevant NHS boards dental list.</p>
30 Nov 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what contracts have been negotiated between the NHS and non-NHS providers of healthcare for the treatment of NHS patients outwith NHS settings in each year since 1999, broken down by (a) speciality and (b) NHS board area.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive does not contract centrally with the independent healthcare sector for the treatment of NHS patients and therefore does not hold this information. Each NHS board hold their own contracts with independent health care providers.</p>