Parliamentary questions

Murdo Fraser

2,062 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

2 Mar 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all Executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies and other public bodies currently in existence.

Answer · Tom McCabe: Information on Executive Agencies and public bodies formally classified as non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), is contained on the Public Bodies and Appointments website at:<a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/government/publicbodies/">http://www.sc…

2 Mar 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the right of householders to defend their property from intruders.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The law in Scotland allowshouseholders to use reasonable force to protect themselves, or another person, froman attack if they have no means of escape or retreat. If there is a threat to propertybut no threat to personal safety, reasonable force can also be u…

23 Feb 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to use the G8 summit to promote tourism in Perthshire.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2O-5625 on 3 March 2005, which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/sch/search">http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/sch/s…

16 Feb 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the working population is employed in the public sector, broken down into (a) local government, (b) the NHS, (c) the fire service, (d) the police and (e) other public sector employees.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The table reports the percentage of the working population employed in the public sector broken down by (a) local government, (b) the NHS, (c) the fire service, (d) the police, and (c) other public sector employment. The figures are sourced from The Joint Sta…

16 Feb 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has in respect of the total amount raised in Scotland through pay-as-you-earn in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The Scottish Executive does not hold this information. Pay-as-you-earn is a matter for Inland Revenue.

7 Feb 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that current services for sufferers of lymphoedema are adequately resourced to meet their needs.

Answer · Andy Kerr: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-14212, answered on 1 March 2005 which is available onthe Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/sch/search" target="_blank">http://www.scot…

7 Feb 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what services are provided by NHS boards for sufferers of lymphoedema.

Answer · Andy Kerr: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-14212, answered on 1 March 2005, which is available onthe Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/sch/search" target="_blank">http://www.sco…

7 Feb 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recognises the condition of lymphoedema.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Lymphoedema is recognised bythe Scottish Executive as a condition. Treatment for lymphoedema may vary inindividual cases. Lymphoedema services are mainly based in hospices althoughthey may also be available in some cancer centres, physiotherapy clinics andoth…

31 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the targets it has set in respect of outputs for the intermediary technology institutes.

Answer · Jim Wallace: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise.

31 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the business case for the establishment of the intermediary technology institutes by Scottish Enterprise.

Answer · Jim Wallace: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise.

26 Jan 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the changes to the GP out-of-hours service.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Putting in place the new arrangements for providing primary care out-of-hours services across Scotland has been a major and challenging task for the NHS and its staff. However, I am satisfied that NHS boards and their partners across Scotland have undertaken …

19 Jan 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it encourages small-scale hydro power schemes.

Answer · Allan Wilson: All new hydro schemes and existing schemes up to 20MW installed capacity are eligible for support under the Renewables Obligations.

19 Jan 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will now announce its position on a third party right of appeal in planning applications.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: We aim to publish a white paper on all aspects of reforming the planning system in the spring.

15 Dec 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with truancy levels in schools.

Answer · Peter Peacock: No, any truancy is to be deplored.

7 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to change the regime for Renewable Obligation Certificates to bring exempt suppliers of renewable energy from hydro power within the ambit of the scheme.

Answer · Jim Wallace: We have no such plans.

7 Dec 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why exempt suppliers of renewable energy from hydro power are not eligible for Renewable Obligation Certificates.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Output from large hydro schemes (those over 20 MegaWatts) commissioned before 2 April 2002 is not eligible for support under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2004 (the ROS), as the schemes are long established – support under the ROS would constitut…

26 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers from each police force are scheduled to be on secondment to police the G8 Summit at the Gleneagles Hotel and for how long.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Decisions on the number and deployment of police officers in connection with the G8 Summit at the Gleneagles Hotel in 2005 are operational matters for the Chief Constable of Tayside Police.

25 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to attract more dentists to the NHS.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Executive has introduced a range of measures over the last few years aimed at the recruitment of dentists within NHS general dental services. These include allowances for vocational trainees taking up their vocational training year in Scotland and for den…

25 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will address the issue of whether there are sufficient affordable dentists in Fife.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Responsibility for the overall provision of NHS dental services in the area rests with NHS Fife. NHS boards are encouraged to apply to Scottish ministers for approval for salaried dentist posts where they consider that there is a gap in NHS general dental ser…

4 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take as a result of its Comparative Study of Business Tax Revenue showing that business property taxation in Scotland is 17% higher than in the rest of the United Kingdom.

Answer · Tom McCabe: I refer the member to the question S2W-11981 answered on 18 November 2004, and would again stress the limitations of such comparisons.The Scottish Executive is committed to creating the conditions to maximise sustainable economic growth in the medium a…

4 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why its Comparative Study of Business Tax Revenue shows that business property taxation in Scotland is 17% higher than in the rest of the United Kingdom.

Answer · Tom McCabe: Table 4.2 of the Comparative Study of Business Tax Revenue shows that totaltax revenue raised from business in Scotland relative to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is lower or comparable to most of our competitors with the exception of the United States, …

3 Nov 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what economic impact Scotland’s regiments being amalgamated into one regiment will have on communities where Black Watch soldiers are traditionally recruited.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Ministry of Defence haveyet to announce their final decision on the future of the Scottish regiments, includingthe Black Watch.

26 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is regarding allowances for disabled students studying with the Open University in order to assist them with attending tutorials.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Students studying with Open University are defined as distance learners in relation to student support. Eligible full-time, part-time and distance learning students who incur additional expenditure whilst undertaking their course because of their disability c…

21 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how often it will publish progress reports on meeting Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Targets 1 to 3 in Draft Budget 2005-06.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Enterprise and Lifelong Learning’s targets 1 to 3 refer to increasing business expenditure on research and development, improving the productivity of Scottish industry, and improving Scotland’s entrepreneurial performance respectively. Progress towards meetin…

21 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it will use to measure progress towards Enterprise and Lifelong Learning targets 1 to 3 in Draft Budget 2005-06.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Enterprise and Lifelong Learning’s targets 1 to 3 refer to increasing business expenditure on research and development (R&D), improving the productivity of Scottish industry, and improving Scotland’s entrepreneurial performance respectively. Progress will be…

8 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-9867 by Lewis Macdonald on 30 August 2004, whether it provides any funding directly or indirectly to members of staff of the Scottish Renewables Forum and, if so, how much funding per annum.

Answer · Jim Wallace: No.

8 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-9867 by Lewis Macdonald on 30 August 2004, how much (a) Highlands and Islands Enterprise, (b) Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, (c) Scottish Enterprise Borders, (d) Scottish Enterprise Energy Team, (e) Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire, (f)…

Answer · Jim Wallace: This is a matter for the Scottish Renewables Forum, which is a membership organisation independent of the Scottish Executive. The information requested is not held centrally.

8 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the conclusions of VisitScotlands survey, Investigation into the Potential Impact of Wind Farms on Tourism in Scotland - Final Report.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: As part of our commitment to address climate change, the Scottish Executive has set targets for the production of more electricity from renewable sources. It is expected that wind energy will play a significant part in achieving those targets. There are aroun…

8 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why it decided not to carry out improvements to the Ballinluig junction on the A9 until 2005-06, when the then Deputy Minister for Transport and Planning announced in April 2002 that funding for the junction upgrade would come from budgets in 2003-04 and 2004-05.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The preparation work for thisscheme has been more complex than previously envisaged. Roads engineers are currentlyresolving a number of remaining design issues. I expect draft orders to be publishednext spring, which will allow affected parties and members of…

30 Sep 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated to students in part-time education at further education colleges since 1999.

Answer · Jim Wallace: This information is not held in the form requested. Colleges are funded based on a target of weighted student units of measurement (WSUMs). The following table shows the WSUMs completed at colleges from 1999-2000 to 2002-03 (the latest year available).…