Parliamentary questions
Murdo Fraser
2,062 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
30 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many students aged 50 to 54 who have received both tuition fees and student support have returned to employment after completing their studies.
Answer · Jim Wallace: In 2001-02 an estimated 58 per cent of higher education graduates from Scottish higher education institutions and further education colleges aged 50 to 54 were in employment six months after graduation. The equivalent estimate for students of all ages is 61 p…
30 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many of those undertaking training with the skillseekers programme have successfully completed the programme since its inception.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Forty-three thousand, three hundered and eighty-eight individuals have completed the current Skillseekers programme since its inception.</p>
30 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the financial resources of further education colleges and higher education institutions is being diverted to the provision of advice on funding for students and administration of discretionary funds.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Councils provide recurrent funding based mainly on factors such as student population and activity. It is up to the institutions themselves to decide on how funding is used. Neither funding council specifies h…
30 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to preserve the Ardoch Roman Fort in Perthshire for future generations.
Answer · Patricia Ferguson: Ardoch Roman fort and annexe are privately owned and are scheduled as monuments of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.</p><p>The on-going management of the site is the responsibility of the owner. Historic Scotla…
20 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that Scottish Executive Education Department Circular 2/2001 is implemented by local education authorities.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Circular 2/2001 (Conduct of Sex Education in Scottish Schools) was issued under Section 56 of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000, which required education authorities to have regard to Scottish Executive guidance in developing and providing sex …
15 Sep 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact on the environment is of small hydro-electric power schemes.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The environmental impacts of such developments would depend on the type and scale of development and its location. They include potential impacts on ecology, hydrology, water quality and visual and landscape impacts. More detail is contained in the Scottish N…
10 Sep 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the projected income from non-domestic rates is for each of the next three years.
Answer · Andy Kerr: Confirmed projected income from non‑domestic rates for 2005‑06 is £2,008.82 as published on page 85 of the Scottish Executive’s <i>Annual Evaluation Report for 2005‑06</i> (Bib. number 32479).</p><p>Projected income for 2006‑07 and 200…
18 Aug 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage pharmacies to provide unexpired returned medicines for reuse in countries in Africa.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Once medicines have been dispensed, they cannot be reused. The reasons for this include hygiene and safety. It is also not possible to guarantee that any returned medicines have been stored appropriately in patients’ homes.</p>
13 Aug 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that all investigations conducted by the Scottish Further Education Funding Council are carried out without any conflict of interest for those conducting such investigations.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Yes, the Scottish Executive is satisfied that investigations are conducted by the Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC) in a way which avoids any conflict of interest. The SFEFC has an internal complaints procedure for investigating complaints. I…
13 Aug 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that the Scottish Further Education Funding Council acts with due propriety in carrying out investigations into the conduct of further education institutions.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Yes, the Scottish Executive is satisfied that the Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC) acts with due propriety in carrying out such investigations. I expect the SFEFC to use its professional expertise and judgement in determining what investigat…
6 Aug 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of Scottish Renewables Forum funding comes (a) from it directly and (b) indirectly via Scottish Enterprise agencies and other such routes.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: We do not provide any funding to the Scottish Renewables Forum, either directly or via the enterprise agencies.</p>
6 Aug 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what roads it has prioritised for upgrading and what plans are in place to carry out such upgrading.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The current programme of major trunk road works underway or planned is set out in the following table. Progress on schemes is subject to completion of the necessary statutory procedures, and the availability of finance. In addition, there is a detailed progra…
12 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to HM Treasury on the impact of the introduction of whisky strip stamps on the Scottish economy.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including whisky tax stamps.</p>
8 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government regarding the impact of any proposals to amalgamate Scottish regiments.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including defence.</p>
8 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it makes available to local authorities who make bids for civil service jobs to be relocated to their areas.
Answer · Tavish Scott: Each year the ScottishExecutive writes to the Chief Executive Officers of all local authorities and localenterprise companies to inform them of any new bodies which have been broughtinto the relocation programme and to request information on available propert…
8 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the recommendations in the Enterprise and Culture Committee's 6th Report 2004 (Session 2), Renewable Energy in Scotland, whether it will impose a moratorium on all locally-opposed wind farm applications until it sets out a new national strategic framework for wind farm applic…
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: No. The Committee’s Report provides no support for a moratorium on wind farm development.</p>
8 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will develop a new national strategic framework for wind farm applications, as recommended in the Enterprise and Culture Committee's 6th Report 2004 (Session 2), Renewable Energy in Scotland.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: We will respond to the committee’s report in due course.</p>
1 Jul 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to compensate businesses that might be adversely affected by any ban on smoking in public places which results from its current public consultation on the issue.
Answer · Tom McCabe: The consultation andevidence gathering process currently underway will place a wealth ofinformation at the Executive’s disposal, including the potential costs andbenefits to businesses of different types of statutory controls. It is by nomeans clear that the …
25 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-8939 by Mr Jim Wallace on 23 June 2004, whether its plans include ensuring that all people and businesses that are currently too remote from their local telephone exchange to receive asymetric digital subscriber line are able to access it.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive is taking forward a procurement exercise to bring broadband to every community in Scotland by the end of 2005. This intervention is supplier neutral and will not stipulate any particular technology for providing access.</p>
25 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether paying the fees of Scottish students studying in England would require the Executive to pay the fees of every European Union student at an English University
Answer · Jim Wallace: European Union anti-discrimination rules require us to treat students from European Union member states in the same way that we treat students who are nationals of our State with regard to tuition fee support. Ultimately it is for the courts to decide the def…
23 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were applied in relation to the reappointment of Alan Sutherland as Water Industry Commissioner for Scotland.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The Water Industry Commissioner (WIC) re-appointment falls within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Commissioner’s Code of Practice allows for first reappointments (i.e. a second term of office in the same role) to be made without ope…
16 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why business transport taxes are 27% lower in Scotland than in the UK as a whole, as shown in the Comparative Study of Business Tax Revenue of 7 October 2003.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The Executive’s report <i>Comparative Study of Business Tax Revenue</i> estimated that the revenue raised from business transport taxes in Scotland was equal to 1.1% of GDP in 2000 compared to 1.4% for the UK as a whole. These figures follow the definition of…
16 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish any report it has received from the Head of Planning at West Lothian Council in respect of planning and the implications of a third party right of appeal.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: Our public consultation <i>Rights of Appeal in Planning</i> ends on 30 July 2004.We intend to make all non-confidential responses available to the public.</p><p>A copy of all the responses to the consultation (except those where the individual or organisation…
16 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will finance neighbourhood watch in the event of a decision by the Home Office to cease support in the next financial year.
Answer · Hugh Henry: The Home Office decision refers only to financial support for the National Neighbourhood Watch Association an independent organisation which operates in England and Wales and which has no equivalent in Scotland. The Home Office will continue to provide suppor…
16 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports neighbourhood watch associations using the Neighbourhood Watch logo to gain private sponsorship.
Answer · Hugh Henry: I refer the member to my answer to the answer given to question S2W-9087 on 28 June 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parli…
16 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports neighbourhood watch.
Answer · Hugh Henry: I refer the member to my answer to the answer given to question S2W-9087 on 28 June 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parli…
15 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2841 by Ms Margaret Curran on 6 October 2003, when it now anticipates that it will reach a decision on the provision of a futurebuilders programme.
Answer · Margaret Curran: I hope to make an announcement shortly.</p>
10 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that all people and businesses who are too remote from their local telephone exchange to receive asymetric digital subscriber line are able to access another affordable form of high-speed internet connection.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I recently announced our intention to ensure that, by the end of 2005, every community in Scotland has access to broadband services. We are currently developing plans to deliver this.</p>
9 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how “short term” is defined in relation to the A9 Dunblane to Perth Junction Strategy Study.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: “Short term” is defined as one to three years in paragraph 3.1 of the summary of the recommendations contained in the <i>A9 Dunblane to Perth Junction Strategy Study</i>, which was placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre on 26 May 2004 (Bib. number 32605)…
9 Jun 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will implement the findings of the A9 Dunblane to Perth Junction Strategy Study.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The findings of the A9 Dunblane to Perth Junction Strategy Study will generally be implemented through a series of works packages procured by BEAR Scotland Ltd. However, as with similar trunk road improvements, all proposals will be subject to the availabilit…