Questions · David Stewart

16 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its original estimate was of the savings that would be made 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 the cost was of developing Procurement Scotland’s national multi-supplier ranked framework agreement for insulin pumps and related consumables.

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 has made a further application for EU Trans-European Transport Network funding under priority axis 13.

Answer · Keith Brown: An application was made for EU Trans-European Transport Network funding in each of the 2008, 2009 and 2010 rounds. Unfortunately due to the criteria set we have been unsuccessful in securing this funding.

16 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will use the Adopt an Apprentice Scheme in the Forth Replacement Crossing project.

Answer · Keith Brown: The contract requires the contractor to ensure that a minimum number of apprenticeships and training opportunities are provided through the project. The contractor is responsible for how it will provide these and must submit a training and employment method s…

16 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to maximise jobs for the construction sector and involve smaller firms in the Forth Replacement Crossing project.

Answer · Keith Brown: Following award of the contract, the successful contractor is required to advertise all subcontract opportunities on the Public Contacts Scotland website. In addition the project team has worked to encourage opportunities for small and medium en…

16 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Forth Replacement Crossing project will be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union; for how long it will be required to be advertised, and whether this will occur immediately after the Forth Crossing Bill is granted Royal Assent.

Answer · Keith Brown: The procurement of the project has been taken forward in parallel with the promotion of the Bill. The Project has been divided into three separate contracts, namely the Principal Contract, M9 Junction 1a and Fife Intelligent Transport System (ITS). Under the …

16 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the contracts for the Forth Replacement Crossing will be published.

Answer · Keith Brown: It is anticipated that the principal contract (main crossing and approach roads) will be awarded in late spring 2011, while the M9 Junction 1a and Fife ITS contracts are due to be awarded in summer 2011. Following award of each contract a contrac…

16 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed borrowing powers contained in the Scotland Bill will be used to finance the Forth Replacement Crossing project.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Forth Replacement Crossing will be fully funded through capital budgets.

16 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the capital spend on the Forth Replacement Crossing will have on other capital programmes.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is committed to effective management and delivery of its capital programme and we are working to manage the impact of the Forth Replacement Crossing on it. In order to provide maximum support for our wider capital programme following t…

16 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the cost of the successful tender for the Forth Replacement Crossing will be less than the upper estimate of £2.3 billion for the project.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Forth Replacement Crossing Project has been separated into three main contracts. We expect the final cost for the project to be less than the upper estimate of £2.3 billion.

16 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it determines value for money when considering the costs associated with the Forth Replacement Crossing.

Answer · Keith Brown: The estimated costs of the Forth Replacement Crossing costs have been considered in relation to the Scottish Government definition of value for money (VfM), as the optimum combination of whole-life costs and quality (or fitness for purpose) of the goods or se…

16 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what costs will be added to the Forth Replacement Crossing project when Value Added Tax is raised to 20%.

Answer · Keith Brown: The new VAT rate will be applied to the project, but we have reviewed the matter and are confident that the outturn cost can be kept within the present range.

15 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many apprentices had or have had their apprenticeships terminated due to their employer going into administration in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.

15 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many apprentices were assisted under the Adopt an Apprentice Scheme in 2009 and have been in 2010, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.

15 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the budget for the Adopt an Apprentice Scheme is in 2010-11 and how much is committed.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.

15 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) budget for and (b) spend on the Adopt an Apprentice Scheme was in 2009-10.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.

15 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many employers applied for assistance from the Adopt an Apprentice Scheme in 2009 and have applied in 2010, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.

19 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the planned completion dates are for each phase of the construction of HMP Highland.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-37714 on 25 November 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available…

19 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the planned expenditure on HMP Highland will be financed from the capital budget of the Scottish Prison Service.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-37714 on 25 November 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available …

19 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the planned annual expenditure on HMP Highland will be over the projected time span of the construction period.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is committed to building HMP Highland as a replacement for HMP Inverness. The SPS is currently seeking …

11 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what approaches it has made to the European Union under the European Economic Recovery Plan to draw down additional structural funds for Moray.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government has not approached the European Commission for additional structural funds for Moray. Successful bids have been made for funds available through the European Economic Recovery Plan for use elsewhere in Scotland. Funds are still availab…

11 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are plans to relocate civil service posts to Moray.

Answer · John Swinney: The Government will consider this issue as part of its economic strategy in Moray. The immediate priority of the Moray Task Force and the Scottish Government is to present a strong argument to the UK Government as to why the RAF presence should be retained. T…

11 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is to create special enterprise zone status in Moray.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government is supporting the efforts of the Moray Task Force to develop an economic action plan for the area, and we are actively looking at what incentives can be put in place in Moray to encourage new businesses to locate in the area and to enc…

9 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a bus scrappage scheme to enable bus operators to trade in older, polluting buses for new, low-emission vehicles.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a bus scrappage scheme. In July 2010 we launched the Scottish Green Bus Fund which will provide grants to bus operators for the purchase of low carbon buses. We are currently assessing the bids made for this f…

12 Oct 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the criminal justice budget has been spent on (a) victims and (b) witnesses in each of the last three years.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Expenditure on victims and witnesses is incurred across a range of criminal justice agencies. For example, engagement with victims and witnesses is a core part of the functions of the police, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and Scottish Court Ser…

12 Oct 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Historic Scotland to ensure the future of Fort George, in the event of closure as a result of the strategic defence and spending review being carried out by the UK Government, in light of its economic impact on the local area.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government recognises the contribution Fort George makes to the local economy and is pleased it has not been affected by the strategic defence and spending review announced on 19 October 2010. Ministers did have discussions with Historic Scotland…

12 Oct 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what contingency plans it has in the event that Fort George closes as a result of the strategic defence and spending review being carried out by the UK Government, in light of its economic impact on the local area.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Scottish Ministers recognise the contribution Fort George makes to the local economy and are pleased it has not been affected by the strategic defence and spending review carried out by the UK Government as announced on 19 October 2010.

12 Oct 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Ministry of Defence regarding the future of Fort George, in light of its economic impact on the local area.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Prior to the strategic defence review announcement, the Scottish Government provided a cross-party submission to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the UK Government highlighting areas of potential concern. This included Fort George and the vital role it plays…

6 Oct 2010 · Written Question

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The cost of consultants'' distinction awards over the last four financial years, broken down by NHS board is detailed in the following table. <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td nowrap valign=top > <p align=lef…

6 Oct 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultants are in receipt of merit awards in categories (a) A+, (b) A and (c) B, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested can be found at Appendix H of the latest report of the Scottish Advisory Committee on Distinction Awards at: www.shsc.scot.nhs.uk/shsc/default.asp?p=71. For ease of reference, the information at 30 September 2009 is as …