Parliamentary questions
Jeremy Purvis
909 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
12 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent on recruitment consultants in each of the last five years, broken down by consultants.
Answer · John Swinney: The following table provides the amount spent by core Scottish Government areas from 1 December 2008 to 30 September 2009, since the current multi-contractor collaborative framework contract for executive search and selection services has been in place. Rel…
12 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the salary for the chief executive of Scottish Enterprise has remained the same despite a 40% reduction in the size of its operation.
Answer · Jim Mather: The remuneration package was set at the beginning of the recruitment process by Scottish Enterprise in consultation with Scottish ministers. The package was established in line with the Scottish Government''s <i >Public Sector Pay Policy for Senior Appointmen…
12 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to review its (a) Public Sector Pay Policy for Senior Appointments and (b) Public Sector Pay Policy.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government''s public sector pay policies for staff pay remits and for senior appointments are revised annually. The 2009-10 pay policies were published in May 2009. The staff policy applies to pay settlements with effective dates from 1 May 2009 …
12 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a distinction between road and rail projects in the application of International Financial Reporting Standards.
Answer · John Swinney: There is no distinction between road and rail projects under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Infrastructure projects will be accounted for in accordance with the IFRS-based Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM).</p> <p >The 2009-10…
12 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24622 by John Swinney on 16 June 2009, when the Scottish Futures Trust can be expected to meet the clear target of achieving annual savings of between £100 million and £150 million on infrastructure investment.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Futures Trust has been set challenging savings and benefits targets by the Scottish Government, and their corporate plan for 2009-14, due to be published this month, will set out how they expect these to be achieved.</p>
12 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24622 by John Swinney on 16 June 2009 and in light of the recent school building programme announcement and the role of Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) in managing this programme, whether the SFT will achieve annual savings of between £100 million and £…
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28173 on 4 November 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…
12 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24622 by John Swinney on 16 June 2009 and in light of the recent school building programme announcement and the role of Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) in managing this programme, whether the SFT is now fully established.
Answer · John Swinney: Yes. The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) corporate plan for the period 2009-14 was published on 19 November 2009 and is available here <a href="http://www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk/">www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk</a>. The plan sets out SFT''s strategic objec…
12 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which budget lines will benefit from the cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, broken down by year.
Answer · John Swinney: Savings from the cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link will be used to meet the pressures on the Scottish Government capital budget as a whole.</p>
12 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27500 by Stewart Stevenson on 25 September 2009, how much will be saved each year following cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The expenditure avoided as a result of the cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, based on latest estimated costs, is detailed in the following table:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td width=194 rowspan=2 valign=top > …
12 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive from which lines in the 2010-11 budget the £60 million brought forward for the Town Centre Regeneration Fund in 2009-10 has been taken.
Answer · Alex Neil: The £60 million funding in 2009-10 for the Town Centre Regeneration Fund did not come from any individual budget line in 2010-11. The 2010-11 budget as a whole was re-prioritised to pay for the Town Centre Regeneration Fund in 2009-10.</p>
30 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration has recommended the inclusion of an additional distinction awards for 2010 and, if so, whether this will be accepted.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Doctors'' and Dentists'' Remuneration Body (DDRB) is expected to publish its recommendations for 2010-11 early in 2010. At that time the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing will decide for Scotland''s interests if the recommendations should be acce…
30 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the total number of awards under the Consultants’ Distinction Awards increased between the 2008 and 2009 awards rounds and, if so, by how many, broken down by award level.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: At 30 September 2008, the total number of awards under the Distinction Awards Scheme for NHS Consultants in Scotland was 552 (52 A+, 157 A, 343 B). In 2009, this increased to 578 (53 A+, 166 A, 359 B).</p>
30 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive into which award level each of the 27 additional awards under the 2008 Consultants’ Distinction Awards, made, fell.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The 27 additional awards available under the 2008 Distinction Awards Scheme for NHS consultants in Scotland were split into the following categories: three A+ awards, eight A awards and 16 B awards.</p>
24 Sep 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are plans to change the boundaries of regional NHS boards.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: There are no plans to change the boundaries of NHS boards.</p>
23 Sep 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it believes that a person travelling abroad to assist a terminally ill person who is seeking to end their life should be charged with culpable homicide.
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/sor1001-01.htm">http://www.scot…
17 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been given to police boards and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) so that they are able to understand the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and respond to reports of irresponsible campers.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The National Access Forum developed guidance, which was circulated to ACPOS as a corresponding member of the forum, on the management of camping. Individual police forces are able to engage with access authorities, in conjunction with local access forums, to …
17 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the definition of lightweight camping is as referred to in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Page 115 of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code provides guidance on the exercise of access rights in relation to wild camping as follows:</p> <p >Responsible Behaviour by the Public</p> <p >Access rights extend to wild camping. This type of camping is light…
15 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what review has been undertaken into the effectiveness of its restructuring of the enterprise network and whether this review is publicly available.
Answer · Jim Mather: The reforms have allowed Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to focus on activities that should have the greatest economic impact and will therefore enable each to maximise its contribution to sustainable economic growth. Howev…
15 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what independent mechanisms are in place to judge the effectiveness of its restructuring of the enterprise network.
Answer · Jim Mather: The enterprise network reforms were intended to allow Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to focus on activities that should have the greatest economic impact and will therefore enable both bodies to maximise their contribution…
15 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its progress report of 30 June 2009 to the Public Audit Committee on major capital projects with a value in excess of £50 million, which of these projects will be constructed under the Scottish Futures Trust.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the <i >Scottish Futures Trust''s Business Plan for 2009-10</i> which was published on 5 June 2009 and which sets out its business objectives, activities and priorities for the current year. Copies of the Plan can be obtained from the Sc…
15 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the progress report of 30 June 2009 to the Public Audit Committee on major capital projects with a value in excess of £50 million, by how much the total value of the projects differs from the lowest estimate to the highest estimate, expressed in pounds sterling.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is taking forward a comprehensive programme of infrastructure investment worth around £35 billion over a decade. Based on the cohort of projects over the threshold of £50 million the total value of projects reported to the Public Audit…
15 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its progress report of 30 June 2009 to the Public Audit Committee on major capital projects with a value in excess of £50 million, whether the construction of the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing will affect the delivery of any of the other projects and, if so, which projec…
Answer · John Swinney: We are working to manage the impact of the Forth Replacement Crossing on the Scottish Government capital programme. We are in discussions with HM Treasury to seek flexibility for the funding profile for the project and maintain continuity in the funding of ot…
15 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its progress report of 30 June 2009 to the Public Audit Committee on major capital projects with a value in excess of £50 million, under what funding mechanism each of the projects will be paid for.
Answer · John Swinney: This information has been provided in the following tables.</p> <p >Projects which are Expected to be Funded Conventionally through Public Procurement</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=418 > <tr > <td width=418 valign=top > <p >A9…
15 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its progress report of 30 June 2009 to the Public Audit Committee on major capital projects with a value in excess of £50 million, whether these projects are treated equally in terms of importance of delivery and timescale.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is committed to effective management and delivery of its capital programme. Every Scottish Government funded or part funded capital project with a budget of £5 million in value or more is subject to a Gateway Review. Revenue financed c…
15 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its progress report of 30 June 2009 to the Public Audit Committee on major capital projects with a value in excess of £50 million, whether these projects are prioritised and, if so, how.
Answer · John Swinney: The <i >2008 Infrastructure Investment Plan</i> (Bib. number 45134) makes clear that all of the government''s resources and policies, including major capital projects, are focused on achieving the government''s central purpose; to create a more successful cou…
15 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its progress report of 30 June 2009 to the Public Audit Committee on major capital projects with a value in excess of £50 million, how each of the (a) estimated capital values and (b) timescales of the projects compares with the original project cost and timescale estimates.
Answer · John Swinney: The 30 June 2009 progress report to the Public Audit Committee provided details on 36 major capital projects. The capital projects outlined in the progress report are due for completion between 2010-11 and 2016-17. Capital budgets for 2011-12 and subsequent y…
15 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its progress report of 30 June 2009 to the Public Audit Committee on major capital projects with a value in excess of £50 million, whether each of the estimated capital values of the projects is an (a) outturn or (b) other price.
Answer · John Swinney: None of the estimated figures provided were on the basis of an outturn figure as final figures for each project will not be known until construction is complete. In relation to those PFI and NPD projects the figures provided are the public sector procuring bo…
15 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage change there has been in the number of staff employed in non-departmental public bodies and government agencies from the first quarter of 2007 to the first quarter of 2009.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26488, on 28 October 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/App…
15 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the wage bill for staff employed by it and government agencies was in the first quarter of (a) 2007 and (b) 2009.
Answer · John Swinney: The following table gives the total employment cost of staff employed in the core Scottish Government, Executive Agencies forming part of the Scottish Government Main bargaining unit (SG Main) and other Executive Agencies.</p> <p >The first quarter of each f…
15 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-26790 by John Swinney on 8 September 2009, what proportion of the accelerated capital programme funding for 2009-10 has been spent, in terms of money having been transferred from Scottish Government accounts.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27285 on 29 September 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/Ap…