Murdo Fraser

22 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to improve flood prevention schemes in Angus in 2009.

Answer · Michael Russell: This is entirely a matter for Angus Council who have powers under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 to take measures for the maintenance or improvement of flood prevention schemes.</p>

22 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to improve flood prevention schemes in Perthshire in 2009.

Answer · Michael Russell: This is entirely a matter for Perth and Kinross Council who have powers under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 to take measures for the maintenance or improvement of flood prevention schemes.</p>

11 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how long it will take to complete the phase 1 work of the Highland Mainline Rail Improvements project as outlined in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18860 on 8 January 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2…

11 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will begin the phase 1 work of the Highland Mainline Rail Improvements project as outlined in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is currently progressing feasibility work in relation to the upgrade of the Highland Main line. The outcome of this work will inform the timescales for implementation of the improvement works.</p>

11 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to complete the dualling of the A9 between Perth and Blair Atholl by 2020.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Dualling the A9 remains a priority for the Scottish Government.</p> <p >The Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) outlines a programme for the next 20 years. It is expected that the design and development work associated with a number of projects will b…

11 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what next steps it will take to ensure the beginning of phase 1 work on the A9 Upgrade from Dunblane to Inverness as outlined in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18854 on 8 January 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps…

11 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of (a) climbing lanes, (b) overtaking sections and (c) junction improvements between Blair Atholl and Inverness.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18854 on 8 January 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps…

11 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of grade separation at the Broxden and Inveralmond roundabouts.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18854 on 8 January 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps…

11 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is to provide grade separated junctions on the A9 between Keir Roundabout and south of Broxden Roundabout.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18854 on 8 January </b>2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/…

11 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is to dual the A9 between Perth and Blair Atholl.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The costs identified within the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) reflect the likely range of funding required to deliver the recommended interventions.</p> <p >In STPR Report 4, the first phase of the A9 upgrading from Dunblane to Inverness is expe…

11 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline a timetable for phase 1 work on the A9 Upgrade from Dunblane to Inverness as outlined in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18851 on 8 January 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2…

11 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how long it will take to complete phase 1 work on the A9 Upgrade from Dunblane to Inverness as outlined in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18851 on 8 January 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2…

11 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will begin phase 1 work on the A9 Upgrade from Dunblane to Inverness as outlined in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Upgrading the A9 remains a priority for the Scottish Government and is clearly identified as such within the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) and current design work is progressing to dual the Birnam to Luncarty section.</p> <p >The STPR provides a…

10 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, based on the legally enforceable class size maximum, what the average capacity of state schools is in 2008-09.

Answer · Maureen Watt: The latest available information on the capacity of publicly funded mainstream schools (primary and secondary) comes from the school estates survey which was published in September 2008. In April 2008, the average capacity of publicly funded mainstream school…

10 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, based on the legally enforceable class size maximum, what the average capacity of state schools is in each local authority in 2008-09.

Answer · Maureen Watt: There is not a statutory class size maximum throughout schools. The capacity of a school is based on a number of factors including the size of the classrooms, the number of teachers and the design of the school. These factors are taken into account by local a…

10 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, based on the legally enforceable class size maximum, what the capacity of each state school is in 2008-09.

Answer · Maureen Watt: There is not a statutory class size maximum throughout schools. The capacity of a school is based on a number of factors including the size of the classrooms, the number of teachers and the design of the school. These factors are taken into account by local a…

3 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether universities are expected to demonstrate how the government funding that they receive contributes to the Scottish Government’s national outcomes.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: <i >New Horizons</i>, the report from the Joint Future Thinking Taskforce on Universities, made clear that we expect universities to demonstrate that they use funds they receive from the Scottish Government to support activities that are well aligned with our…

3 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what tailored incentives, as referred to in the report of the Future Thinking Taskforce on Universities, will be offered to encourage universities and businesses to engage collaboratively.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Encouraging greater collaboration between universities and businesses is one of our key commitments and a main theme highlighted in <i >Science for </i><i >Scotland</i><i >. </i>We<i > </i>will continue to work closely with the Scottish Funding Council, the…

3 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to encourage higher levels of philanthropic giving to universities in Scotland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: We will be discussing with the Scottish Funding Council and Universities Scotland how we might encourage higher levels of philanthropic giving to Scottish universities.</p>

3 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Horizon Fund for Universities, outlined in the report of the Future Thinking Taskforce on Universities, will be used to increase business engagement.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I have identified increasing knowledge transfer and innovation as one of my priorities for the Horizon Fund for Universities in my letter of guidance to the Scottish Funding Council dated 18 November 2008.</p>

3 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the General Fund for Universities, outlined in the report of the Future Thinking Taskforce on Universities, includes funding for teaching and learning.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18502 on 12 December 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/App…

3 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the new funding arrangements for universities referred to in the report of the Joint Future Thinking Taskforce on Universities, specifically the General Fund for Universities and the Horizon Fund for Universities.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Details of the new funding arrangements for the General Fund for Universities and the Horizon Fund for Universities are outlined in the Scottish Funding Council''s response to the <i >New Horizons</i> report of the Joint Future Thinking Taskforce. Their respo…

3 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the publication of the report of the Joint Future Thinking Taskforce on Universities, what measures will be put in place to guarantee support for the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: <i >New Horizons</i>, the report of the Joint Future Thinking Taskforce on Universities, makes clear that Scotland''s higher education institutions have a key role to shape, preserve and develop our country, our economy, our culture and our society. Their bro…

21 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many ambulances cover the highland Perthshire area and whether there are plans to increase the number stationed in the area.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18148 on 8 December 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps…

21 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with ambulance cover for highland Perthshire.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Yes. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that the Scottish Ambulance Service continues to provide safe, efficient and effective services to patients across Scotland, including those in Highland Perthshire.</p> <p >Ambulance cover in Highland Pe…

21 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will intervene and reintroduce an out-of-hours GP service in Kinloch Rannoch.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The provision of primary medical services in Kinloch Rannoch is a matter for NHS Tayside. NHS Tayside directly provides the out-of-hours service that covers Kinloch Rannoch and I am aware of the detailed consideration by NHS Tayside of options to supplement t…

21 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the process followed by NHS Tayside and its decision to end the out-of-hours GP service in Kinloch Rannoch.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Tayside did not end the out-of-hours GP service in Kinloch Rannoch. The then GP chose to opt out of the provision of out-of-hours services. This was contested by NHS Tayside and referred to an independent assessment panel. The panel upheld the case for op…

21 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing will meet representatives of the Kinloch Rannoch community regarding the possible reinstatement of an out-of-hours GP service.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The provision of primary medical services in Kinloch Rannoch is a matter for NHS Tayside. I am aware of the detailed consideration by NHS Tayside of options to supplement the existing out-of-hours service for Kinloch Rannoch with a First Responders Scheme. I …

21 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will conduct a feasibility study into a sub-sea cable along the west coast of Scotland for the transmission of electricity as an alternative to an overhead pylon line.

Answer · Jim Mather: There are currently no plans at present to conduct such a study however these are always vital issues to the Scottish Government and are kept under review.</p> <p >However, offshore grid development is of critical importance to the Scottish Government in ord…

21 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has taken on the potential health hazards of a 400kV electricity transmission line being routed near households and communities.

Answer · Jim Mather: The principal advisor to the UK Governments on the health effects of radiation, including the low frequency electromagnetic fields from power lines, is the UK Health Protection Agency. In 2004 the Agency published a <i >Review of the Scientific Evidence for L…