Parliamentary questions
David Stewart
1,651 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
10 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that future road and roundabout infrastructures around Inverness maximise speed and the throughput of traffic.
Answer · Derek Mackay: In June 2015 ministers announced their intention to take forward further design work to improve Longman Roundabout and for a new link between Inshes (A96) and Smithton (A9) which will help secure the long term effectiveness of the trunk road network around In…
10 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with The Highland Council regarding rerouting the A82, as set out at option 7 in the West Link appraisal document.
Answer · Derek Mackay: No discussions have taken place suggesting re-routing the A82 via option 7.
9 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Office for National Statistics about the reclassification of housing associations as public bodies.
Answer · Margaret Burgess: The Scottish Government has regular technical discussions with the Office for National Statistics (ONS). These have included informal discussions about the ONS decision to re-classify private registered providers of social housing in England as public bodies.…
9 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the Scottish Housing Regulator and (b) housing associations about the implications for (i) regulation and (ii) spending should the Office for National Statistics reclassify housing associations as public bodies.
Answer · Margaret Burgess: The Scottish Government has regular discussions with the Scottish Housing Regulator, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and the Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations about a range of issues affecting housing associations and …
9 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), what consideration it has given reintroducing a ferry service while the Forth Road Bridge is closed for repair.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Transport Scotland worked closely with our partners, including Forth Ports and potential ferry operators to carry out feasibility work that considered a variety of ferry options. This included a review of the practicalities and feasibility of any ferry servic…
9 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), for what reason it put the Forth Road Bridge’s contract out to tender in 2014.
Answer · Derek Mackay: A single contractor managing and maintaining both bridges will deliver value for money and operational efficiencies. This approach is the most cost-effective and co-ordinated approach to the management and maintenance of the Forth Road Bridge and the Queensfe…
9 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), for what reason the 2010 tendering process for repairs to the Forth Road Bridge’s north-east tower was cancelled.
Answer · Derek Mackay: This was a matter for and decision of the Forth Estuary Transport Authority.
9 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), how much it has spent on safety maintenance for the Forth Road Bridge in each year since 2005.
Answer · Derek Mackay: In the period from 2000 to the abolition of tolls on 11 February 2008 the funding of all Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) operating and capital expenditure, including maintenance, was through toll income and other income generated by FETA through inve…
9 Dec 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), how it determined early January 2016 as the reopening date for the Forth Road Bridge.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The January reopening date was determined following advice from specialist engineers and the Forth Bridge Operating Company, Amey Highways Ltd. It includes some contingency for adverse weather conditions.
27 Nov 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the tendering process for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services been delayed.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to your question S4W-28139 on 5 November 2015. 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/parliame…
18 Nov 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed change in funding to Network Rail will have on the joint working between ScotRail and Network Rail.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The proposals announced by the UK Government only affect the way money flows through the rail industry rather than the actual funding being provided. The structure of charges does, however, remain a decision for the Office of Road and Rail (ORR). As part of …
18 Nov 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the Shaw review of the longer-term future shape and financing of Network Rail and whether it will publish any such representations.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Both the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities and I met with Nicola Shaw on 8 October 2015. During this meeting, and subject to associated financial arrangements, we pressed the case for the full devolution of Network Rail in Scotland w…
18 Nov 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will seek different arrangements to those set out in the UK Government's summer budget announcement that government subsidies will be paid to train operating companies rather than Network Rail.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28572 on 1 December 2015. 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/parliamentary…
18 Nov 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact in Scotland of the UK Government's summer budget announcement regarding the funding of Network Rail.
Answer · Derek Mackay: As the independent industry regulator, the overall framework for railway charges is a matter for the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).The Scottish Government is the primary funder of Network Rail in Scotland and is actively considering the most effective approac…
18 Nov 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what governance relationship it (a) has or (b) has sought with Network Rail following its reclassification as a public sector company.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Network Rail was reclassified as a UK central government body in September 2014. At that point, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was put in place between the Scottish and UK Governments, which sets out how the Scottish Ministers will be involved in future …
18 Nov 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what involvement it has with the funding provided to Network Rail in Scotland.
Answer · Derek Mackay: In accordance with the requirements of the Railways Act 1993 the Scottish Government is responsible for producing a High Level Output Specification (HLOS) to set out what is to be achieved by railway activities in Scotland and the funding available to support…
18 Nov 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on (a) how much and (b) what proportion of railway funding has been provided to Network Rail in Scotland in the last five years.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Network Rail’s funding requirements for activities in Scotland are determined independently by the Office of Rail in Road in accordance with the requirements and priorities set out by the Scottish Government. For each financial year the funding provided to N…
18 Nov 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to ensure that the joint working between ScotRail and Network Rail will not (a) be commercialised and (b) compromise the safety of the railway infrastructure.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government is clear that a more integrated approach across the whole rail industry is in the best interests of Scotland’s railways. The closer collaboration between Network Rail Scotland and Abellio ScotRail places the needs of passengers at its …
18 Nov 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how its consultation on introducing further legislation to increase the powers of local transport authorities is progressing.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Scottish Government officials are discussing options with members of the Bus Stakeholders Group for possible consultation during 2016.
18 Nov 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how its plans to improve engagement between operators and local transport authorities regarding service charges are progressing.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to questions S4W-28522 and S4W-28526 on 1 December 2015 and the answers provided. We are also working with stakeholders to identify further changes to legislation which will enhance partnership working and can form part of a consultation in…
18 Nov 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish its plans regarding air passenger duty that were referred to in the transport section of its legislative programme.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government will publish a policy consultation paper in early 2016 seeking views on how a Scottish replacement to air passenger duty should be designed and structured to best support our strategic objective of boosting Scotland's international con…
18 Nov 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how its review of the legislation that governs bus service registration is progressing and on what date it will publish its plans regarding bus (a) legislation and (b) guidance that was referred to in the community transport section of its legislative programme.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Legislation is due to be laid before Parliament in week beginning 8 December 2015. Good practice guidance has been developed with stakeholders and is in near final form. Both legislation and guidance will come into force on 31 January 2016.
16 Nov 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many da Vinci surgical systems for use in the treatment of prostate cancer there are, broken by NHS board area.
Answer · Shona Robison: The robot assisted surgery service based at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, is not yet fully up and running as surgeons are still in training. The service is expected to become fully operational in January 2016, primarily for patients from the north of Scotland. H…
9 Nov 2015 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Loganair regarding safety, reliability and maintenance.
4 Nov 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what vessel will be deployed on the Mallaig to Armadale service when the Coruisk is removed from this route and whether it will be of a similar age and capacity as the Coruisk.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The deployment of vessels on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service network is a matter for CalMac as the ferry operator.
26 Oct 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27326 by Derek Mackay on 16 September 2015, what consultation it undertook with (a) local stakeholders and (b) trade unions in reaching the policy decision laid out in Scottish Ferry Services: Ferries Plan (2013-2022) to continue the Northern Isles …
Answer · Derek Mackay: As indicated in the answer to question S4W-27326 we are discussing that possibility with RBS, but no policy decisions have been taken at this stage. I announced on 13 August 2015, during my visit to Shetland, that a comprehensive study of the Northern Isles …
26 Oct 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions Transport Scotland officials have had with representatives of the Electoral Commission since 1 July 2012.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Transport Scotland officials have had no discussions with representatives of the Electoral Commission since July 2012.
26 Oct 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the earliest date is on which it can announce the winning bid for the 2016-24 contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28139 on 5 November 2015. 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/parliamentary…
26 Oct 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the earliest date is by which Transport Scotland can receive a final tender for the 2016-24 contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28139 on 5 November 2015. 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/parliamentaryb…
26 Oct 2015 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the earliest date is by which Transport Scotland can issue an invitation to submit a final tender for the 2016-24 contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28139 on 5 November 2015. 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/parliamentary…