Parliamentary questions

George Foulkes

1,927 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

26 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the reduction in expenditure in 2011-12 if the reduction in the budget proposed by the UK Government for devolved Scottish expenditure in 2010-11 is deferred until 2011-12.

Answer · John Swinney: The additional reduction in the Scottish Budget for 2010-11 proposed by the Chancellor in his announcement of 24 May 2010 amounts to £332.5 million. The UK Government''s plans for future public spending will be confirmed in the Comprehensive Spending Review a…

26 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has received from the UK Government regarding release of funds in relation to the Fossil Fuel Levy.

Answer · Jim Mather: The UK Government''s programme for government includes a commitment to review the control and use of accumulated and future revenues from the Fossil Fuel Levy in Scotland. These funds could provide new opportunities to help make Scotland a low carbo…

26 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will follow the example of the UK Government in relation to the reduced use of government cars by ministers.

Answer · John Swinney: The UK Government is now moving into line with the Scottish Government. The Government Car Service in Scotland already deploys its drivers as a shared resource which allows ministerial journey requests to be covered in the most efficient way. Ministers use pu…

26 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has concerns regarding unsustainable palm oil production and, if so, how these impact on any decisions it makes regarding supporting business development with multinational companies in Scotland.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Many Scottish food businesses are taking steps to ensure that palm oil comes from sustainable sources with the efforts of some companies recognised by bodies such as WWF (World Wildlife Fund). Scottish Government is playing its part by encouraging consumers t…

26 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the steps it is taking to build a low-carbon economy.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government published in March Towards a Low Carbon Economy for Scotland: Discussion paper which draws together, for the first time, ways in which Scotland can take pole position in the drive to secure the economic benefits of greener busi…

26 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to extend the Climate Challenge Fund.

Answer · John Swinney: Consideration of any extension of the Climate Challenge Fund will take place in the context of the Scottish spending review, later this year.

26 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to report on its review of the Climate Challenge Fund.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The review of the Climate Challenge Fund is scheduled to complete in June 2011 and the review report is expected to be published at that time.

26 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to increase community involvement in grassroots action on climate change.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 introduces ambitious, world-leading legislation to reduce emissions by at least 42 per cent by 2020 and at least 80 per cent by 2050. To achieve these targets the Scottish Government has a wide ranging delivery plan to f…

20 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is an offence in Scots law for a Member of the Scottish Parliament to purport to represent an area that is not within the boundaries of the constituency that he or she represents.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: No.

5 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-31140 by Elish Angiolini on 28 April 2010, whether any such advice has ever been put in the public domain, notwithstanding longstanding convention.

Answer · Elish Angiolini: The Scottish Government is not aware of any occasion on which any such advice has ever been put in the public domain, other than in accordance with the routine release of historic files of which such advice may form part.

4 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what further consideration it has given to the provision of a cross-Forth ferry or hovercraft service; what arrangements are in hand, and whether it will make a statement.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government strongly supports the principle of cross-Forth ferry travel, and remains keen to see progress. Any proposals, however, remain a matter for local government to take forward - principally Fife and City of Edinburgh Councils, as well as S…

29 Apr 2010 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what the total cost was of the Parliament’s security apparatus and allied works for the vehicle entrance.

Answer · Alex Johnstone: The spend to date with the vehicle entry system installation contractor Allen Fencing Ltd is £235,823.71. The design of the system by MFD International Ltd cost £8,157.64.

29 Apr 2010 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body for what reason the Parliament’s vehicle entrance security gates are not working and when it is expected that they will be.

Answer · Alex Johnstone: The vehicle entry system was not operational due to a damaged safety device on the exit blocker. The system was repaired and put back into operation on 7 May. Minor work was also carried out on the 14 May. The system is fully operational.

29 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the travel arrangements are for the First Minister’s visits to the Maldives and Delhi; how many officials will accompany him, and what the total estimated cost is.

Answer · John Swinney: As the next host nation of the Commonwealth Games, Scotland is required and proud to take part in the official handover ceremony at the Games in Delhi. The First Minister and the Minister for Public Health and Sport will each attend part of the 2010 Games as…

29 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what official engagements were undertaken by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing on 27 April 2010.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: On 27 April 2010, I recorded messages for the Diana Awards ceremony and a message for the International Self Care conference. I also met with ministerial colleagues to discuss forthcoming parliamentary business, attended to ministerial papers and I attended t…

29 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what official engagements were undertaken by the Minister for Parliamentary Business on 27 April 2010.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: On the 27 April 2010 the minister undertook his usual Tuesday engagements as listed <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td valign=top > Tuesday 27 April 0900 “ 0930 </td> <td valign=top > Meeting with Busine…

29 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what special advisers have resigned to participate in the UK general election.

Answer · John Swinney: Stephen Noon and Stuart Nicolson have resigned to participate in the UK General Election.

27 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to applying for EU funding for the development and extension of the Edinburgh tram project.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Responsibility for funding for development and extension of the Edinburgh tram project, beyond the £500 million contribution from the Scottish Government, rests entirely with the promoter, the City of Edinburgh Council. This would be a matter for the City of …

22 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many parliamentary questions from George Foulkes MSP have not received a substantive answer within the required time.

Answer · Bruce Crawford: Of the 1,539 questions asked by George Foulkes up to end March 2010, 311 have not received a substantive answer within the required time. They did, however, receive a holding reply and have now all been answered substantively.

22 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason has it not been able to provide a substantive answer to question S3W-31140.

Answer · Elish Angiolini: This was answered on 28 April 2010.

22 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S3W-31140.

Answer · Elish Angiolini: This was answered on 28 April 2010.

14 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the purpose was of the First Minister’s visit to stay at Livingston on 9 April 2010; what officials accompanied him, and how he travelled to the visit.

Answer · John Swinney: The visit to Livingston was not undertaken as First Minister.

13 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of the First Minister’s official spokespersons are involved in any way in statements that he makes in connection with the 2010 UK General Election.

Answer · John Swinney: During the 2010 UK General Election campaign all Scottish Government civil servants are bound by guidance on their role and conduct during the election period (the date between the commencement of the campaign period and the election). The full guidance can b…

12 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the official engagements of the First Minister for April 2010.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government proactively releases ministerial engagements on a monthly basis six months in arrears and the information you requested will be published shortly and can be found at <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/14944/MinisterialEngagement…

12 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister’s recent meetings in London with the UK finance spokespersons were undertaken in his role as First Minister and, if so, (a) who attended each meeting and (b) what subjects were discussed.

Answer · John Swinney: The First Minister met, respectively: the Chancellor of the Exchequer and relevant HM Treasury officials; George Osborne MP, David Mundell MP and Philip Hammond MP, and Vince Cable MP. The meetings were arranged in order to seek clarity about the imp…

12 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what public bodies have been adversely affected by investment in Icelandic banks and (b) what action it is taking to assist them.

Answer · John Swinney: Seven councils, a fire board and a non-departmental public body had deposits with Icelandic banks at the time that they were placed into administration or receivership in 2007. The non-departmental public body made an impairment charge to its 2008-09 accounts…

12 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what special advisers have taken unpaid leaving during the period of the 2010 UK general election.

Answer · John Swinney: No special advisers have taken unpaid leave during the period of the 2010 UK General Election.

25 Mar 2010 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Justice plans to review his decision regarding the release of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: No.

24 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the steps it has taken to progress equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people since May 2007.

Answer · Alex Neil: In 2008, the Scottish Government welcomed the report of the Hearts and Minds Agenda Group which had considered ways of tackling negative and discriminatory attitudes towards LGBT people and which made a number of recommendations: <a href="http://sh4…

24 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the passing of the Equality Act 2010, what discussions it has had with faith leaders regarding civil partnership ceremonies in religious premises.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: We have not had any formal discussions with faith leaders about civil partnership ceremonies in religious premises. However, we have received some representations from religious organisations about this topic.