Parliamentary questions
George Foulkes
1,927 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
25 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29971 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which he undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment in the last three years in order to reduce his carbo…
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31978 on 18 March 2010. 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/Apps2/…
25 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29969 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which he undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice in the last three years in order to reduce his carbon footprint and what the e…
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31978 on 18 March 2010. 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/Apps2/…
25 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29967 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which he undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning in the last three years in order to reduce his carbon …
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31978 on 18 March 2010. 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/Apps2/…
25 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29964 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which he undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth in the last three years in order to reduce his carbon f…
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31978 on 18 March 2010. 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/Apps2/…
25 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29961 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which she undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing in the last three years in order to reduce her carbon footprint …
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31978 on 18 March 2010. 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/Apps2/…
25 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29958 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which he undertakes official duties have been implemented by the First Minister in the last three years in order to reduce his carbon footprint and what the estimated total …
Answer · John Swinney: Scottish ministers'' activities in connection with the government estate are covered by the Scottish Government''s environmental targets and the Carbon Management Plan. These aim to deliver a 30% reduction in emissions from energy use by 2020, with an interim…
25 Feb 2010 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much EU funding was paid to Scottish farmers for agricultural support in 2008-09.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: In financial year 2008-09, the European Commission contributed £486 million towards the cost of support paid to farmers. The schemes involved both measures fully funded by the EC and those co-funded in partnership with the Scottish Government but, for the avo…
11 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to information provided in response to the question S3W-30534 by John Swinney on 10 February 2010, for what reason other ministers did not use public transport when carrying out their ministerial duties during the time period specified in the same way as the Minister for Transpor…
Answer · John Swinney: Scottish Government Ministers either used the Government Car Service or walked when carrying out ministerial duties.</p>
10 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage its staff to change from private to public transport for travel connected with their work.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government Travel Plan encourages all staff to avoid or minimise the need for travel through the use of alternatives such as video conference, email and telephone. Where travel is unavoidable staff are encouraged to use low carbon options and to …
10 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the total funding was from all public sources to support youth, junior, amateur and professional football in the most recent year for which information is available.
Answer · Shona Robison: The total amount of funding to support grassroots and the youth development of Scottish football in 2008-09 was £4.099 million. This figure includes both Scottish Government funding and National Lottery funding through sportscotland.</p>
10 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the respective responsibilities are of (a) the Scottish Government Equalities, Social Inclusion and Sports Directorate, (b) Glasgow City Council, (c) Glasgow 2014 Ltd and (d) Commonwealth Games Scotland in relation to the 2014 Commonwealth Games and which is the lead organisation.
Answer · Shona Robison: Although the Scottish Government is the ultimate guarantor of the games and is contributing 80% of the public sector funding, it is a partnership arrangement with individual partners take the lead in their areas of responsibility but work with and report prog…
10 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place between Scottish ministers and the Registrar General regarding additional questions for the 2011 census.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Registrar General has held frequent and regular discussions with Scottish ministers in the preparation of the questions for the 2011 census.</p>
10 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what support the Scottish Futures Trust has given to support councils to develop waste management facilities.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) has been invited by Glasgow City Council, North, South and East Ayrshire Councils, West Lothian Council, Edinburgh and Midlothian Council and North Lanarkshire Council to support the development and delivery of their residual …
10 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken by the Scottish Futures Trust in relation to delivering the new Zero Waste Plan.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31725 on 4 March 2010, for details of the actions Scottish Futures Trust is taking to support local authorities in developing and delivering solutions to meet the EU Landfill Directive targets and the emerging …
10 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on preparatory work in connection with the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee (OC) is responsible for the delivery of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. At 15 February 2010 the Scottish Government had provided the OC with £8,256,108 towards the cost of staging the games. This contribution supplem…
10 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions and on what dates the Glasgow 2014 Strategic Group has met since the award of the Games to Glasgow; whether meetings have been (a) cancelled or (b) postponed, and, if so, for what reason.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Glasgow 2014 Strategic Group has met 14 times since Glasgow was selected as the host city of the 2014 <em>Commonwealth</em> Games at the <em>Commonwealth</em> Games Federation General Assembly on the <em>9 November 2007</em> in Colombo, <em>Sri Lanka.</em…
9 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what restrictions on the hours of working it is proposing to introduce in relation to contractors on the Forth Replacement Crossing and allied works.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Details of the working hours are contained in the <i >Code of Construction Practice</i> which was published following the introduction of the Forth Crossing Bill to the Parliament on 17 November 2009.</p>
9 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider a scheme to purchase houses within 500 metres of the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing and allied works that have been negatively affected.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Part 23 of the Forth Crossing Bill gives Scottish Ministers the authority to acquire any land by agreement.</p>
9 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of residents living within 500 metres of the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing and allied works it estimates will be entitled to compensation.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This information is not available.</p> <p >Guidance on the parliamentary process, compulsory purchase process and compensation specific to the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) has been published on the project website and issued to land and home owners withi…
9 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has made of the potential decrease in the values of properties within 500 metres of the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing and allied works.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We cannot assume that property within the vicinity of the scheme will decrease in value as a result of the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing.</p>
9 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions (a) the First Minister and (b) each Scottish minister has had a meeting with Aamer Anwar and what subjects were discussed in each case.
Answer · John Swinney: No Scottish minister in a ministerial capacity, including First Minister, has had a meeting with Aamer Anwar. However, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Justice took part in the recent Scotland United rallies against racism in Glasgow and Ed…
5 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-30820 by Stewart Stevenson on 4 February 2010, which ministers have visited areas affected by the Forth Replacement Crossing; on what dates; what groups or organisations they met, and what reports they have made of their visits.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Forth Replacement Crossing will be a project which will affect Scotland as a whole and is designed to safeguard a vital connection in the country''s transport network. Ministers have met a wide range of groups and organisations since May 2007.</p>
2 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has given consideration to a permanent visitor centre for all three Forth bridges on the site of the old Forth Bridges Motel.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: No consideration has been given to this as yet. </p> <p >I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-30821 on 27 January 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can b…
2 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-30823 by Stewart Stevenson on 27 January 2010, what further meetings are planned in relation to its engagement with the public, affected parties and stakeholders.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: A meeting has been planned for 8 March with Queensferry and District Community Council to present details of traffic analysis of the scheme.</p> <p >We have recently received details of the objections received to the Forth Crossing Bill. Once these have been…
2 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29958 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes ministers, particularly the First Minister, have made in their ministerial activities to contribute to its climate change targets.
Answer · John Swinney: Scottish ministers, and in particular the First Minister, have shown extremely strong leadership on the energy and climate change agenda. The First Minister wrote to the UN Secretary-General to highlight Scotland''s commitment to tackling climate change, laun…
27 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what efficiency savings were made in each of its directorates in 2008-09; by what means, and in what areas other than procurement.
Answer · John Swinney: Efficiency savings are not reported on a directorate basis. The 2008-09 Outturn Report, which is available on the Scottish Government website shows savings made by individual projects, grouped by director general. This is in line with the reporting arrangemen…
27 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be made to institute a period of purdah during the forthcoming UK general election.
Answer · Bruce Crawford: The arrangements that are put in place will be the same as for previous general elections. Guidance on the conduct of Scottish Government civil servants during UK General Election periods is based on the principle that the Scottish Ministers will continue to …
27 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimate is of what annual revenue would be raised if the power to raise income tax by 3p in the pound were used.
Answer · John Swinney: HM Treasury estimates, published in Budget 2009, suggest that a three pence increase in the Scottish variable rate could have raised approximately £1 billion in 2009-10.</p>
27 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to proposing that the Parliament make use of the power to raise income tax by up to 3p in the pound.
Answer · John Swinney: Scottish ministers have no plans to invoke the Scottish variable rate to raise income tax in Scotland.</p>
27 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings took place between Scottish and UK ministers in 2009; what topics were discussed, and who initiated the meetings.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The following table outlines meetings held between Scottish and UK Ministers during 2009. However, we do not hold a record of who initiated the meetings.</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td valign=top > <p align=ce…