Parliamentary questions
George Foulkes
1,927 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it spent on press cutting services in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government spent the following on press cutting services:</b></p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td valign=top > <p align=center >Year</p> </td> <td valign=top > <p align=center >Spend (£)</p> </td> </tr> …
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Justice will visit the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) facilities in Aberdeen and Edinburgh prior to reaching a decision regarding their future.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have no plans to visit the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) facilities in Aberdeen and Edinburgh prior to making my decision. However, I am aware that SPSA staff were consulted on the options and the views received from them will help to inform my …
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Justice will make a statement to the Parliament regarding the future of Scotland’s forensic services following receipt of the report from the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA).
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have received a recommendation from the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA), which I am currently considering. I will not make a statement to the Parliament at this time regarding this matter, but will announce my decision later this year with opennes…
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has received a report from the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) regarding the future of Scotland’s forensic services and when he will make an announcement regarding this matter.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have received a recommendation from the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) and will announce my decision later this year. This will include an explanation of the reasons why that decision was reached, along with the publication of the SPSA''s recomme…
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S3W-35598, which received a holding reply on 31 August 2010.
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the hospitality bill was for events held in (a) Bute House and (b) Edinburgh Castle in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) 2009-10.
7 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many events were hosted by the First Minister in (a) Bute House and (b) Edinburgh Castle in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) 2009-10.
24 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was given confirmation by the deputy leader of Edinburgh City Council that the remaining private sector obligations of The Gathering 2009 Ltd would be taken on by Destination Edinburgh Marketing Alliance.
Answer · Jim Mather: Confirmation to the Scottish Government that Destination Edinburgh Marketing Alliance (DEMA) was intending to buy The Gathering 2009 Ltd was given by the Director of Corporate Services at the City of Edinburgh Council to the Permanent Secretary on 14 October …
23 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what work has been undertaken to produce a ground survey report to determine the impact on households of the effects on the water table of work connected with the Forth Replacement Crossing project.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: An assessment of the environmental impacts of the proposed scheme, during construction and operation, has been undertaken. Details of potential impacts, mitigation measures proposed to avoid or reduce impacts and any residual impacts are presented in the Envi…
23 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on what basis compensation will be provided to householders affected by the Forth Replacement Crossing project and what funds have been provided for this.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Advice on compensation is set out in <i >Forth Replacement Crossing: Guidance on the Parliamentary Process, Compulsory Purchase Process and Compensation</i> which was published on the Forth Replacement Crossing website on 16 July 2009.</b></p> <p >The Explan…
23 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to the inclusion of a direct link to the M9 in the Forth Replacement Crossing project.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The project plans provide an east and west link near Kirkliston.</p>
22 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the purpose is of the visit to China of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning; what his engagements are; who he will see; who will accompany him, and what the total estimated cost is.
Answer · Michael Russell: I am undertaking a wide range of visits and meetings in China as part of the Scottish Government''s continuing commitment to promote Scotland''s educational excellence overseas. These engagements are designed to build on the First Minister''s visit earlier th…
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-35576 by Jim Mather on 1 September 2010, in what format it holds information regarding the output of different forms of electricity generation and what percentage of total output is represented by (a) coal, (b) nuclear, (c) renewables, (d) oil and (e…
Answer · Jim Mather: Table 1 shows a breakdown of electric generation by source in Scotland from 2005 to 2008. These data are published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change.</b></p> <p >Table 1: Electricity Generation, by Source, Scotland, 2005 to 2008</p> <table bor…
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the roles are of the director of (a) rail delivery, (b) business improvement, (c) strategy and investment and (d) finance of Transport Scotland and which of the current postholders have direct experience in public transport.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The responsibilities of the Directors of Transport Scotland are set out in the agency''s website (<a href="http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/about-us/organisational-structure">http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/about-us/organisational-structure</a>). The D…
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) capital and (b) annual revenue costs are of the digital information signs on motorways and who is responsible for deciding what messages should be displayed.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There are various sizes of Variable Message Signs on the trunk road network and they cost in a range of approximately £135,000 to £190,000 and that includes all investigations, design, provision of power supply, construction of foundation and provision and er…
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of competition it has achieved in relation to the Borders railway project procurement following the information day held on 20 January 2010.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-36200 on 21 September 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at: </p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parli…
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what reviews it has undertaken into the extent of innovation in the services sector.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of innovation as a key determinant of our long-term economic growth. Our focus is on alignment across the wider public sector to create a flexible, supportive business environment and we look to our enterprise…
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has commissioned to explore the factors affecting the decisions of both immigrants and emigrants and what the outcome has been.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Council of Economic Advisers recommended that the Scottish Government undertake more research to better understand migration and to explore the factors affecting the decisions of both immigrants and emigrants. The Scottish Government accepted this recomme…
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the promotion and rewarding of academic excellence at all levels in education including national prizes for top students and top performing schools.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that excellence at all levels of education across Scotland is recognised, shared and promoted in a wide variety of ways. This includes support for a number of national prizes including:</b></p> <p ><![if !sup…
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has received from the UK Government regarding its request for the release of funds from the Fossil Fuel Levy account.
Answer · Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-33906 on 11 June 2010. I mentioned the UK Government''s commitment to review the control and use of accumulated and future revenues from the Fossil Fuel Levy in Scotland. Our view remains that these funds will …
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest projection is of the number of homes available for rent or low-cost ownership in 2010-11.
Answer · Alex Neil: Projections of the number of homes to be built for rent or low-cost home ownership are not held centrally.</p> <p >The numbers of affordable homes that have already been completed are published quarterly on the Scottish Government''s website: </p> <p ><a hr…
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the reintroduction of university tuition fees and what the outcome was.
Answer · Michael Russell: No consideration has been given to the reintroduction of university tuition fees.</b></p>
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from Glasgow City Council regarding ending the council tax freeze and what its response has been.
Answer · John Swinney: I received a letter from Councillor Gordon Matheson, the Leader of Glasgow City Council, on 15 August proposing that the council tax freeze should be scrapped. In reply, I made it clear that the Scottish Government would prefer to continue with the council ta…
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken in relation to constraining public sector pay since May 2007.
Answer · John Swinney: Our consistent policy has been and remains to ensure that public sector pay settlements in Scotland are moderate, affordable, sustainable and demonstrate value for money.</p> <p >In our annual pay policies, we have progressively tightened pay parameters, an…
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-34007 by Nicola Sturgeon on 18 August 2010, what the reason was for the number of inpatient and day cases treated in the independent sector having been underreported since May 2007.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: In order for NHS boards to complete accurate records for NHS patients referred for treatment in the independent sector and submit them for central collation to ISD, independent hospitals are required to return information to the referring board for each episo…
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has given consideration to raising funds by using its powers to vary income tax by up to 3p in the pound and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.
Answer · John Swinney: We made it clear at the outset of this administration that we did not intend to use the tax-varying powers available under the Scotland Act. This was made clear to the Scottish Parliament and to the UK Government in 2007 and has remained our consistent positi…
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what review it has undertaken of the contribution made to the Scottish economy by the whisky industry.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has not undertaken its own review of the contribution made to the Scottish economy by the whisky industry as other organisations have. For example, the Scotch Whisky Association recently published <i >The Economic Impact of Scotch Whis…
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it has given to the development of skills in the food and drink industry, particularly in relation to niche food manufacturers.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: We are working with key industry partners, public agencies and the sector skills councils to support skills development across the food and drink supply chain through the Food and Drink Skills Strategy Group.</p>
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what savings have been achieved by joint procurement in the (a) NHS, (b) education and (c) other sectors.
Answer · John Swinney: Significant collaborative procurement in Scotland is undertaken by a National and various Sectoral Centres of Expertise. This model was established on the recommendation of John McClelland CBE in his report <i >Review of Public Procurement in Scotland</i>. Un…
21 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding different immigration criteria for Scotland and what response it has received.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has responded to the UK Government''s consultation on how the mechanism for its proposed cap on immigration should operate. Our opposition to an annual limit on immigration is based on the potentially serious economic consequences for …