Parliamentary questions
Murdo Fraser
2,062 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
12 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the public investment in the Institute for System Level Integration provides an adequate return for the Scottish economy.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Public investment in theInstitute for System Level Integration is a matter for the main fundingpartners – Scottish Enterprise, University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde, Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh University.</p>
12 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of students studying at the Institute for System Level Integration is from (a) Scotland and (b) overseas.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Specific informationrelating to student numbers at the Institute for System Level Integration is anoperational matter for the Institute.</p>
12 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what public funding has been awarded to the Institute for System Level Integration in each of the last three years.
Answer · Jim Wallace: As part of project Alba, theInstitute for System Level Integration has been supported in line with thecommitment in <i>A Smart, Successful Scotland</i> to move to a technologicallyinnovative, knowledge-based economy.</p><p>Funding issues in relationto the ins…
19 Nov 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the creation of non-commercial rest areas on the A9 between Perth and Inverness.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: TheExecutive is aware of the proposals for further rest areas on the A9 between Perth and Inverness to improve road safety. Consideration will be given to suchprovision (commercial and non-commercial) once the review of National PlanningPolicy Guideline (NPPG…
17 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many public limited companies had their registered offices in Scotland in each year since 1990.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Claire Clancy,the Chief Executive of Companies House, to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>The information requested isnot available. While the number of companies incorporating each year in Scotland(i.e. new public limited companies) is…
17 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many public limited companies have established their registered offices in Scotland as a result of commencing trading in each year from 1990 to 1997.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Claire Clancythe Chief Executive of Companies House to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>The number of public limitedcompanies having established their registered offices in Scotland asa result of commencing trading in each year from 199…
5 Nov 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was to Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise of the rebranding of (a) Business Shops as The Small Business Gateway in 2001 and (b) The Small Business Gateway as The Business Gateway in 2003.
Answer · Jim Wallace: This is an operationalmatter for Scottish Enterprise. The Business Gateway does not extend to the Highlands andIslands Enterprise area. Access to the range of business development servicesin the Highlands and Islands is through the Local Enterprise Companies …
29 Oct 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with Scotland's economic growth.
Answer · Jim Wallace: It is amatter of great concern that economic growth in Scotland has consistently lagged the overall UK average over a number of years. This is why the Executive is committed to growing the economy by creating the conditions thatwill enable our sustainable gro…
28 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many public limited companies listed in the FTSE 500 closed their (a) headquarters or (b) registered offices in Scotland as a result of cessation of business in each year since 1997.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Claire Clancy,the Chief Executive of Companies House, to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>Companies House does notrecord which public limited companies (PLCs) are included in the FTSE 500.Companies can be removed from the register for a…
28 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many public limited companies listed in the FTSE 500 relocated their (a) headquarters or (b) registered offices from Scotland to other parts of the United Kingdom in each year since 1997.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-3675. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_w…
28 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many public limited companies listed in the FTSE 500 relocated their (a) headquarters or (b) registered offices to Scotland from other parts of the United Kingdom in each year since 1997.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-3675. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_w…
28 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many public limited companies listed in the FTSE 500 established their (a) headquarters or (b) registered offices in Scotland as a result of commencing trading in each year since 1997.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-3675. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_w…
28 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many public limited companies closed their (a) headquarters or (b) registered offices in Scotland as a result of cessation of business in each year since 1997.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-3675. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa">http…
28 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many public limited companies have relocated their (a) headquarters or (b) registered offices from Scotland to other parts of the United Kingdom in each year since 1997.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-3675 on 14 November 2003. 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.parliament.uk/…
28 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many public limited companies have relocated their (a) headquarters or (b) registered offices to Scotland from other parts of the United Kingdom in each year since 1997.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-3675. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa">http…
28 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many public limited companies have established their (a) headquarters or (b) registered offices in Scotland as a result of commencing trading in each year since 1997.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Claire Clancythe Chief Executive of Companies House to respond. Her response is as follows:</p><p>Companies House does notkeep information on the number of public limited companies (PLCs) withheadquarters in Scotland. However the number of PLCs h…
22 Oct 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will respond to reports of illegal quarrying taking place in Scotland as a consequence of the introduction of the aggregates tax.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Aggregatestax is a reserved matter and falls under the responsibility of HM Treasury. Iam content that planning and environmental controls are adequate for quarrying.These include a range of enforcement powers available to planning authoritiesif extractions a…
13 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have made visits outwith Scotland since May 2003; to which destinations; for how long, and at what cost.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive does not hold records of ministerial visits within the United Kingdom.A record of ministerial visits outwith the United Kingdom is published annually;details for the financial year 2002-03 were set out in the answer given toquestion S2W…
2 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the returns from local authorities on the number of individuals with autism and Asperger's syndrome in their areas.
Answer · Tom McCabe: Information from the auditof autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) services from local authorities and NHS boardsis currently being analysed for presentation to the ASD Reference Group at itsnext meeting on 3 November. The information will be published on the Scot…
2 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the cost to it and local authorities of determining all the current planning applications to construct onshore wind farms.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: Applications to planning authorities are generally accompanied by a fee. The intention is that this feeshould recover the full costs incurred in handling the application fromregistration to determination. Planning fees are reviewed annually with theintention …
2 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current planning guidance to local authorities on the siting of onshore wind farms takes adequate account of public opinion in the affected areas.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: Guidance is given in <i>National Planning PolicyGuideline 6: Renewable Energy Technologies </i>(NPPG 6). This was revised inNovember 2000. <i>National Planning Policy Guideline 6: Renewable EnergyTechnologies</i> balances ourobligation to tackle climate chang…
2 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has the necessary resources within the Inquiry Reporters' Unit to deal with the current level of applications to construct onshore wind farms.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: Applications to constructonshore wind farms would only come before the Inquiry Reporters Unit if theywere the subject of appeals, of applications called in by Scottish ministers orof proposals under the Electricity Act 1989 for which an inquiry was necessary.…
2 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities have the necessary resources within their planning departments to deal with the current level of applications to construct onshore wind farms.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: I refer the member to the answer given to question SW2-3099 on 29 October 2003.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.parliament.uk/we…
2 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review its planning guidance to local authorities on the siting of onshore wind farms.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-3098 on 29 october 2003.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.parliament.uk/we…
2 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last reviewed its planning guidance to local authorities on the siting of onshore wind farms.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-3098 on 29 October 2003. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/web…
2 Oct 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what planning guidance it currently issues to local authorities on the siting of onshore wind farms.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-3098 on 29 October 2003. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/web…
22 Sep 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-2142 by Ms Margaret Curran on 19 September 2003, when it anticipates that it will reach a decision on the provision of a futurebuilders programme.
Answer · Margaret Curran: We are still considering thisissue and I hope to make an announcement before Christmas.</p>
17 Sep 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next meet representatives of Scottish Water.
Answer · Ross Finnie: As I advised the member in myresponse on 23 July to his question S2W-1160 on 4 August 2003, as minister responsiblefor the water industry in Scotland, I have regular meetings with Scottish Water on a widerange of issues</p>
27 Aug 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of Scottish Water and what topics were discussed.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I have regular meetings with representatives of Scottish Water and last met them on Tuesday this week. We discuss a range of topical issues at these meetings.</p>
22 Aug 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-538 by Ms Margaret Curran on 17 June 2003, whether it has now reached a decision on the provision of a futurebuilders programme.
Answer · Margaret Curran: This issue is still underconsideration.</p>