Parliamentary questions
David Stewart
1,651 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
8 Jun 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive who the operator of last resort would be in the event of (a) Argyll or (b) Western Ferries being unable to fulfil its contractual obligations.
Answer · Keith Brown: In the event that Argyll Ferries Ltd, were unable to fulfil its contractual obligations in respect of the new Gourock to Dunoon ferry service, responsibility would pass to its parent company, David MacBrayne Ltd (DML). This arrangement is assured by means of …
2 Jun 2011 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in extending the living wage across the public sector.
19 May 2011 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the Gourock to Dunoon ferry tender.
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that Scotland is fully compliant with the EU directive on the standing of victims in criminal proceedings.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: It is expected that the Framework Decision on the Standing of Victims in Criminal Proceedings, which was published in 2001, will be replaced by a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council aimed at establishing minimum standards on the rights, su…
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will launch a consultation for a proposed victims' rights bill.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: No decisions have yet been taken on the timing of the proposed bill or any associated consultation.
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the review of the Scottish Strategy for Victims will be published.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-151 on 31 May 2011. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/D…
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to (a) strengthen and (b) support the rights of victims and witnesses.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government is planning a victims’ rights bill; to continue our strong level of support and funding for victim support organisations for 2011-12, and to implement the requirements of the proposed Directive of the European Parliament and of the Cou…
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the criminal justice budget in (a) 2011 and (b) 2012 has been allocated to victims and witnesses.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-36898 on 8 November 2010 for information on 2010-11. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottis…
19 May 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider establishing a commissioner for victims and witnesses.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government has no plans to establish a commissioner for victims and witnesses.
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with energy or public utility companies regarding the proposals in the Green Deal.
Answer · Jim Mather: Policy development on the Green Deal is at an early stage and we are engaging and negotiating with the UK Government to ensure Scottish circumstances are recognised. We have had discussions with energy companies as part of the CERT (Carbon Emissions Reduction…
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Department of Energy and Climate Change regarding the proposals in the Green Deal.
Answer · Jim Mather: <a name=QuestionText>The Scottish Government has been working closely with the DECC on both the UK Energy Bill which when approved will give powers to develop the Green Deal policy, and the emerging policy work on the Green Deal policy. We have worked to ensu…
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to hold policy consultations related to the introduction of the proposals in the Green Deal.
Answer · Jim Mather: Plans are currently underway for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), working with the Scottish Government, to deliver several stakeholder seminars in Scotland on the UK Energy Bill and the Green Deal. We see this as a first step of engagement …
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to implement or adapt any of the proposals in the Green Deal.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Green Deal is a UK Government led initiative and is expected to be delivered UK wide. In Scotland delivery will differ to take account for devolved matters such as housing and building controls. We are working closely with UK Government colleagues to ensu…
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what aspects of the Green Deal will impact on devolved matters.
Answer · Jim Mather: The aspects of the Green Deal which will impact on devolved matters that will be subject to the Legislative Consent Memorandum laid in the Parliament on 13 December 2010 are:</b></p> <p >Areas of the Green Deal (domestic and non-domestic) around energy effi…
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide funding to the Rural Community Transport Initiative Small Projects Fund in 2011-12.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Rural Community Transport Initiative Small Projects Fund closed on 31 March 2008. We have no plans to reintroduce the scheme.</b></p>
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in upgrading the secondary route via Newburgh from Hilton Junction on the Inverness to Edinburgh rail line.
Answer · Keith Brown: Re-modelling of the Hilton Junction on the Edinburgh to Inverness rail line has taken place, which has provided improved line speeds as part of Network Rail''s track renewal programme.</b></p> <p >Work to upgrade the track is still ongoing and should provide…
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are plans to upgrade the three single track lines from Inverness.
Answer · Keith Brown: Transport Scotland is working closely with Network Rail on developing the Aberdeen to Inverness Rail Improvements Project, which includes potential track upgrading along the 109 mile route.</b></p> <p >However, we have no plans at present to upgrade the sing…
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are plans for the reinstatement of passing loops at Ballinluig and Newtonmore.
Answer · Keith Brown: As part of the development of the Highland Main Line Improvements Project, Network Rail will be taking forward work to deliver infrastructure enhancements. These enhancements may include passing loops at Ballinluig and Newtonmore which could provide additiona…
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are plans for trials of Meridian or Voyager train units between Inverness and Edinburgh/Glasgow.
Answer · Keith Brown: ScotRail has no plans to trial these trains on these routes.</b></p>
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the trial upgrading of the engines on the current Turbostar train rolling stock has been successful.
Answer · Keith Brown: The trial involving the upgrade of some engines fitted to ScotRail class 170 Turbostar trains was not successful on express routes.</p>
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the speed improvements to reduce the Inverness to Edinburgh/Glasgow rail journey time by 35 minutes to be introduced.
Answer · Keith Brown: The project will be delivered in phases and provides incremental journey time reductions.</b></p> <p >The first phase of the Highland Main Line Improvements Project is anticipated to deliver journey time reductions from May 2012.</p>
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether an hourly rail service between Inverness and Edinburgh/Glasgow will be achieved by December 2011.
Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38686 on 20 January 2011. 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/Apps2/Busines…
11 Jan 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in delivering improvements to the Highland main line.
Answer · Keith Brown: Ministers confirmed in the Scottish draft budget for 2011-12 that services operating between Inverness and the central belt will increase from nine to 11 trains per day. The increase in service frequency is expected to be introduced in the December 2011 timet…
16 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take to secure compliance by NHS boards with Procurement Scotland’s guidance on securing the best value in procurement.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Procurement Scotland is the Scottish Government''s centre for procurement expertise covering cross sectoral commodity strategies and contracts. NHS National Services Scotland''s National Procurement Division works closely with the Scottish Government on all a…
16 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is planning to strengthen the powers of Procurement Scotland to ensure that NHS boards realise the full estimated savings from the development of a national multi-supplier ranked framework agreement.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Procurement Scotland is the Scottish Government''s centre for procurement expertise covering cross sectoral commodity strategies and contracts. NHS National Services Scotland''s National Procurement Division works closely with the Scottish Government on all a…
16 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what powers Procurement Scotland has to influence the procurement decisions of NHS boards in purchasing insulin pumps and associated consumables in light of the development of a national multi-supplier ranked framework agreement.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Procurement Scotland is the Scottish Government''s centre for procurement expertise covering cross sectoral commodity strategies and contracts. NHS National Services Scotland''s National Procurement Division works closely with the Scottish Government on all a…
16 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many more insulin pumps would have been provided to eligible patients if the expected savings from Procurement Scotland’s multi-supplier ranked framework agreement had been implemented in full by all NHS boards.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Procurement Scotland is the Scottish Government''s centre for procurement expertise covering cross sectoral commodity strategies and contracts. NHS National Services Scotland''s National Procurement Division works closely with the Scottish Government on all a…
16 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of purchases by NHS boards under Procurement Scotland’s multi-supplier ranked framework agreement, broken down by (a) board and (b) ranked supplier, in each of the last three years.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Procurement Scotland is the Scottish Government''s centre for procurement expertise covering cross sectoral commodity strategies and contracts. NHS National Services Scotland''s National Procurement Division works closely with the Scottish Government on all a…
16 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what additional savings would have been achieved had all NHS boards purchased insulin pumps and related consumables from the first ranked preferred supplier identified in Procurement Scotland’s multi-supplier ranked framework agreement in each of the last three years.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Procurement Scotland is the Scottish Government''s centre for procurement expertise covering cross sectoral commodity strategies and contracts. NHS National Services Scotland''s National Procurement Division works closely with the Scottish Government on all a…
16 Dec 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what savings were made by those NHS boards that purchased insulin pumps and related consumables from the first ranked preferred supplier identified in Procurement Scotland’s multi-supplier ranked framework agreement in each of the last three years.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Procurement Scotland is the Scottish Government''s centre for procurement expertise covering cross sectoral commodity strategies and contracts. NHS National Services Scotland''s National Procurement Division works closely with the Scottish Government on all a…