Parliamentary questions
Jim Tolson
304 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
14 Jul 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of constructing a Rosyth bypass and whether it will provide a breakdown of costs.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: A Rosyth bypass has not been identified as a national strategic priority and consequently no studies have been carried out by Transport Scotland to examine the feasibility or costs associated with a bypass for Rosyth.</p>
14 Jul 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on what criteria the decision whether to build a Rosyth bypass will be based.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Strategic Transport Projects Review has determined the Scottish Government''s future transport priorities for the next 20 years. This does not include a bypass for Rosyth.</p>
14 Jul 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to commission traffic and pollution surveys in the Rosyth area in the next two years.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland have no current plans to commission traffic and pollution surveys in the Rosyth area in the next two years.</p>
14 Jul 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what type of traffic surveys have been carried out to monitor the volume of traffic and pollution levels in the Rosyth area in each of the last 10 years and what the findings were.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland automatically collects daily traffic count information from a number of sites within the Rosyth area. The data can be found at:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/traffic-count/map-application">http://www.transportsc…
3 Jul 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of a ruling by the Office for National Statistics that public private partnerships (PPP) can continue to appear off balance sheets in national accounts, what assessment has it made of the possibility of funding the Forth Replacement Crossing through PPP/NPD methods.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We have reviewed the option of funding through PPP/NPD, and the planned conventional funding approach provides certainty at a time when there remains volatility in the financial markets, and is the only method capable of delivering the replacement crossing by…
24 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has provided any financial incentives to the Nationwide Building Society in relation to its acquisition of the Dunfermline Building Society’s social housing book.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government has not provided any financial incentives to the Nationwide Building Society in relation to its acquisition of the Dunfermline Building Society''s social housing book.</p>
24 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Nationwide Building Society regarding its acquisition of the Dunfermline Building Society’s social housing book.
Answer · Alex Neil: The First Minister reported to Parliament on 1 April 2009 that he had spoken with the chief executive of Nationwide Building Society on 30 March 2009, and that he and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth had a positive meeting with a seni…
15 Apr 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether consideration was given to the recognition of bus passes across the United Kingdom in its review of the national concessionary travel scheme.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson : <i> This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0423-01.htm">http://www.scott…
2 Apr 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support will be provided to local authorities for the proposed decoupling of the local government and Scottish Parliament elections.
Answer · Bruce Crawford: The Financial Memorandum for the Scottish Local Government (Elections) Bill estimates the additional costs which will fall on local authorities as a result of decoupling. These costs will be incurred in 2012-13. Funding arrangements will be a matter for discu…
31 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs have been lost in the financial sector in Scotland in each of the last five years.
Answer · Jim Mather: There is no information held centrally on the number of jobs lost or created in the financial services sector in Scotland.</p> <p >Data is, however, available on the total number of financial services employee jobs in Scotland which is presented for the year…
31 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will communicate with the management of the Nationwide Building Society about the retention of financial sector jobs in Scotland.
Answer · Jim Mather: The announcement that the Nationwide building society had acquired parts of the Dunfermline Building Society was made on 30 March. On that same day both the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth spoke to Graham Beale, CEO…
31 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to support Dunfermline Building Society headquarters staff whose jobs are at risk.
Answer · Jim Mather: On 1 April 2009, the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance met with senior representatives from Nationwide Building Society to discuss the impact of the merger on Scotland in terms of both employment and HQ function. Nationwide confirmed that a…
31 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that the Dunfermline Building Society continues to play a key role in supporting the provision of affordable housing.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government, through regular dialogue with HM Treasury, the Bank of England and the social housing sector, is doing all that it can within its powers to ensure that any future owner of the social housing loan portfolio will continue to lend active…
31 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it took to assist the Dunfermline Building Society and when.
Answer · Jim Mather: In his statement to the Scottish Parliament on 1 April 2009, the First Minster set out in detail the full extent of the Scottish Government''s involvement in this matter.</p> <p >Following initial information from the Dunfermline Building Society that it req…
31 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it was first informed of Dunfermline Building Society’s financial problems.
Answer · Jim Mather: On Monday 2 March, Scottish Government officials met with representatives of the Dunfermline Building Society and were informed that the Society needed extra capital if it was to meet the Financial Services Authority stress test requirements and qualify for e…
30 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it uses to assess the public health benefits of social enterprises and how it intends to support and progress the role of social enterprises in the delivery of health care.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22435 on 23 April 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/…
30 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that individuals and communities are key stakeholders in public health.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Health Council monitors progress and ensures that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. Boards must be able to demonstrate continual improvement in involving patients and the public in service de…
30 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last had discussions with the UK Department of Health about the right to request.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22435 on 23 April 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/…
30 Mar 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to create the right to request to allow NHS staff to establish a social enterprise to deliver primary and community care.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government is currently conducting research into how the third sector contributes to its strategic objectives. The final report is expected at the end of April 2009. We recognise the potential for social enterprises to deliver health benefits and…
18 Mar 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to overcome the long-term problem of overcrowding in young offenders institutions.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill : <i > This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0326-01.htm">http://www.scot…
26 Feb 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will give to ports to increase their container capacities.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We continue to recognise the vital role that ports in Scotland play by providing transport links, thus contributing to the government''s core purpose of sustainable economic growth.</p>
12 Feb 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to upgrade or replace poor quality housing stock.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: <i > This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0212-01.htm">http://www.scot…
2 Oct 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the operating deficit was on each Caledonian MacBrayne/CalMac Ferries Ltd route in each year from 1995 to 2008.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The information requested is only available for the financial years 2004-2005, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. Prior to those years, the relevant information was only recorded by Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd on an area-by-area basis and since 2007-08 is not recorded by …
2 Oct 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what income Caledonian MacBrayne/CalMac Ferries Ltd received from its customers in each year from 1995 to 2008.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: For the years 1995-1996 to 1998-1999 inclusive Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd''s published annual accounts did not specifically disclose income from fares and charges. That level of detail was only introduced from the published 1999-2000 annual accounts. The figure…
2 Oct 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average fare rise was on Caledonian MacBrayne/CalMac Ferries Ltd services in each year from 1995 to 2008.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The average annual fares increases on the Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd/CalMac Ferries Ltd services from the start of Summer timetables each year for the years in question, excluding minor variations affecting some routes in particular years, were as follows:</p> …
2 Oct 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12583 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 May 2008, what annual government subsidy was provided to Caledonian MacBrayne in each year from 1995-96 to 1999-2000.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The deficit grant paid to Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd between 1995-1996 and 1999-2000 was as follows:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td valign=top > <p >1995-96</p> </td> <td valign=top > <p align=center >1…
30 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils were provided with gluten-free school meals in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority.
Answer · Adam Ingram: We do not hold that information centrally.</p>
30 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether gluten-free meals are readily available, where required, for pupils who are entitled to free school meals.
Answer · Adam Ingram: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-16627 on 16 October 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/weba…
30 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that pupils who require a gluten-free diet can easily access gluten-free school meals.
Answer · Adam Ingram: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-16629 on 16 October 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/weba…
30 Sep 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how implementation of the advice on special diets and allergies contained in Hungry for Success - A Whole School Approach to School Meals in Scotland is monitored.
Answer · Adam Ingram: HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) has been monitoring the implementation of the recommendations of <i>Hungry for Success</i> through its programme of school inspections. In its second report on the implementation of <i >Hungry for Success</i>, <i >Hungry fo…