Charlie Gordon

18 Sep 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the recommendations in the recent Competition Commission report on BAA airports market investigation.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government''s views remain that we want to see an airport sector which continues to contribute to our goal of sustainable economic growth.</p>

1 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-11140 by Michael Russell on 15 April 2008, whether it will make available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre the response from the Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Answer · Michael Russell: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to make available to the Scottish Parliament Information Centre his reply to you in response to question S3W-11140.</p>

1 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-11140 and S3W-11142 by Michael Russell on 15 April 2008, whether these answers indicate that it has no plans to make a ministerial statement about the proposed pay and grading scheme within the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Answer · Michael Russell: Pay and grading of Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) staff is an operational matter for SEPA''s management team. There are no plans to make a ministerial statement on this issue.<strong></strong></p>

11 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used by First Scotrail in allocating the £1 million community fund for station building use.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Eligibility for the fund will be based on benefits to passengers assessed against the Scottish Government''s five strategic objectives.</p> <p >The fund will require each applicant to provide details on their business model and financial and social returns.<…

11 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the consequences of the terms of the extension to the Scotrail franchise will be for all regional transport partnerships.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The extension to the franchise contract will allow regional transport partnerships to take account of proposed rail service improvements in their plans.</p>

11 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions were held with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, prior to meeting with First Group plc to discuss extension of the Scotrail franchise, regarding service provision and enhancement in the Strathclyde area.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member the ministerial statement, I gave to Parliament on 17 April 2008, column 7712 and to the First Minister''s answer to question S3F-676 on the 17 April 2008. The Official Report can be found at: </p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliame…

19 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a ministerial statement about the proposed pay and grading scheme within the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11140 on 15 April 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/webap…

19 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give an assurance that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s proposed new pay and grading scheme will address all outstanding equal pay issues within the organisation.

Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11140 on 15 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.sear…

19 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is with regard to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency issuing dismissal notices to hundreds of staff in connection with a proposed new pay and grading scheme, prior to a job evaluation exercise being completed.

Answer · Michael Russell: Pay and grading of Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) staff is an operational matter for SEPA''s management team, within overall financial limits set by the Scottish Government, and in accordance with policies and guidance on public sector pay. I h…

28 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the event that proposals for enhanced accident and emergency services at Hairmyres Hospital do not proceed, it will consider the provision of full accident and emergency services at the New Victoria Hospital.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I have been clear that it is not our intention to undertake a general review of service changes that have been made in the NHS. It would be inappropriate to revisit these decisions, some of which were made several years ago, not least due to the uncertainty, …

28 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, following the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing’s statement on Accident and Emergency Units (Ayr and Monklands Hospitals) on 27 February 2008, whether previous proposals for enhanced accident and emergency services at Hairmyres Hospital will still be implemented.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Lanarkshire''s original proposals to enhance accident and emergency services at Hairmyres Hospital was in recognition of the fact that Hairmyres would be one of two emergency hospitals in Lanarkshire. NHS Lanarkshire are now in the process of considering …

21 Nov 2007 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what capital resources are available to fund physical improvements to schools in which no rationalisation of educational provision is possible.

Answer · Maureen Watt: Under the terms of the concordat signed on 14 November 2007, we will provide local governmentin Scotland with almost £3 billion of capital resourcesover three years to secure local government investment in schools and other infrastructure. This represents an …

19 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will sign a contract for the main roadworks part of the M74 completion project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The final tender for the contractwas submitted on 9 November 2007. A decision on the award will be made once the assessmentof the tender is complete.</p>

2 Nov 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects tender documents to be issued for the operation of a new ferry service from Campbeltown to Ballycastle.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Scottish Governmentofficials have discussed the project with Northern Ireland officials on a number of occasions and they continueto liaise closely to discuss joint working arrangements for taking the project forward.Respective ministers in Scotland and North…

31 Oct 2007 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it will apply when evaluating any requests it receives for support in establishing a major new film studio in Scotland.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: On the assumptionthat a proposal was submitted that included a valid business case, the ScottishGovernment would, in the first instance, seek evaluation reports from Scottish Screen,Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to establish the com…

28 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the development of through rail services connecting Prestwick, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports and, if so, how and when they will be implemented.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Governmentis committed to delivering a rail network that links easily to the airports at Edinburgh, Glasgow and Prestwick. Access to Edinburgh Airport by rail will be achieved by adding a stationat Gogar on the Fife railway line, providing an eas…

28 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is committed to the electrification of the rail line from Glasgow Central to Edinburgh Waverley via Shotts and, if so, when it will be implemented and what the fastest journey time would be.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The electrificationof the rail line between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh via Shotts was examined duringthe recent work on the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail improvements. There are currently no plans to progress this optionat present. However, providing suitable …

28 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the development of through train services from (a) Stranraer and (b) Ayr to Edinburgh and, if so, how and when they will be implemented.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Governmentrecently outlined its priorities to Parliament on improving the connections andjourney times associated with the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail route. The introduction of direct services fromStranraer and Ayr to Edinburgh has not been ruled …

28 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the funding for the projects announced in its ministerial statement on rail links to Edinburgh Airport on 27 September 2007 (Official Report, c. 2252-2260) will come from sources additional to the Scottish block grant and to which projects this will apply.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The precise proportionof alternative funding options will be determined at a later stage in the project.</p>

28 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the capital and revenue costs will be of each project announced in its ministerial statement on rail links to Edinburgh Airport on 27 September 2007 (Official Report, c. 2252-2260).

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Details of each of the projects announced in the ministerial statement on 27 September 2007 are included in a full report detailing the options considered,the process of appraisal and the options chosen to take forward. This report, StrategicTransport Project…

28 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the implementation dates will be for each project announced in its ministerial statement on rail links to Edinburgh Airport on 27 September 2007 (Official Report, c. 2252-2260).

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Details of each of the projects announced in the ministerial statement on 27 September 2007 are included in a full report detailing the options considered,the process of appraisal and the options chosen to take forward. This report, StrategicTransport Project…

28 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the full capital and revenue cost implications will be for the Edinburgh trams project as a result of its ministerial statement on rail links to Edinburgh Airport on 27 September 2007 (Official Report, c. 2252-2260).

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Following the statement,more detailed discussion is required with the promoter, of the Edinburgh Tram project,City of Edinburgh Council. The implications of the new rail interchangeon the Tram Project including cost and revenue implications will be part of th…

26 Sep 2007 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the proportion of women and minority ethnic people entering apprenticeships in construction and engineering.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: No. I recognise thatthere is a very low take-up from women and minority ethnic groups in constructionand engineering apprenticeships and we need to do more to challenge and change attitudesto stereotypical career choices.</p><p>That is why our SkillsStrategy …

12 Sep 2007 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will address the need for new strategic waste management facilities to serve the city of Glasgow.

Answer · Michael Russell: I am hosting a WasteSummit with local authorities and others on 3 October 2007 to discuss the way ahead for waste management acrossScotland.</p>

7 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what safeguards are in place to prevent homeless families with children being placed in temporary accommodation of any type in which convicted sex offenders are also accommodated.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The NationalAccommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders (NASSO), which came into force on 2 April 2007, provides for the Responsible Authorities under theManagement of Offenders etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 to risk manage meeting theaccommodation needs of sex offend…

7 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many breaches by local authorities of the provisions of the Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Order 2004 were identified from implementation of the order to June 2007.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The ScottishGovernment collects snapshot data on the number of households with dependentchildren or pregnant women in temporary accommodation which breaches theUnsuitable Accommodation Order at the end of the quarter. Figures from 30 June 2005 to 31 December …

25 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to resolve the outstanding pay dispute affecting staff employed by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish government isin continued discussions with the Care Commission concerning their 2006-08 payproposals.</p><p>As a non-Departmental PublicBody (NDPB), the Care Commission is required to take account of the publicsector pay policy issued by the Scot…

8 Jun 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2O-10863 by Ross Finnie on 26 October 2006, when it will announce the funding of the upgrading of waste management facilities in the city of Glasgow.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Glasgow City Council submitted a bid in May 2007 for further support from the StrategicWaste Fund to continue recycling services and enhance them. This bid is currentlybeing assessed for value for money. In relation to proposals for residual wasteinfrastructu…

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will now award the main roadworks contract for the completion of the M74.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Subject to the satisfactory completionof the tender process which is underway we expect to award the contract in latesummer/early autumn 2007.</p>

30 May 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will abolish prescription charges for people with chronic health conditions and whether it will list the health conditions affected.

Answer · Shona Robison: We remain committed to ourmanifesto pledge to phase out prescription charges. We are currently consideringwhich health conditions will fall within the definition of “chronic condition” andwill consult on that list in due course.</p>