Parliamentary questions
John Lamont
759 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
9 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to parliamentary question S3W-28913, which received a holding reply on 26 November 2009.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28913 on 8 January 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…
19 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many drug finds there were in each prison in each of the last five years, broken down by type of drug.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >The following table illustrates the number of suspected drug finds recorded since <br> 1 January 2005 to 23 November 2009 broken dow…
18 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met Scottish Borders Road Safety Working Group and whether it has raised with this group a potential cross-border traffic increase resulting from its proposals to introduce a minimum price for alcohol and a ban on alcohol promotions.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government has not discussed this with the Scottish Borders Road Safety Working Group nor has the group raised any such concern with the Scottish Government.</p>
18 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has undertaken or plans to undertake an analysis of the impact on road safety of a potential cross-border traffic increase resulting from its proposals to introduce a minimum price for alcohol and a ban on alcohol promotions.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Overall, a reduction in alcohol consumption is likely to lead to a reduction in road accidents. The Scottish Government does not consider that measures to stop irresponsible promotion and pricing of alcohol will result in increased cross-border traffic. Howev…
18 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Lothian and Borders Police and Scottish Borders Council regarding a potential cross-border traffic increase resulting from its proposals to introduce a minimum price for alcohol and a ban on alcohol promotions.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: None. The Scottish Government does not consider that measures to stop irresponsible promotion and pricing of alcohol will result in increased cross-border traffic. However, Transport Scotland and Lothian and Borders Police are represented on the Scottish Bord…
18 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that its proposals to introduce a minimum price for alcohol and a ban on alcohol promotions will result in an increase of cross-border traffic.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29083 on 1 December 2009. 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/Apps…
18 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis it has undertaken of a potential cross-border traffic increase resulting from its proposals to introduce a minimum price for alcohol and a ban on alcohol promotions.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government does not consider that measures to stop irresponsible promotion and pricing of alcohol will result in increased cross-border traffic. However, Transport Scotland and Lothian and Borders police are represented on the Scottish Borders Ro…
13 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the Government Actuary’s Department report commending the stewardship of electricity sector pension schemes and what its position is regarding the necessity or desirability of Ofgem being given authority to regulate in this area.
Answer · Jim Mather: The administration of electricity sector pension schemes is currently a matter for individual electricity companies, in consultation with employees and relevant trade unions. We will explore the implications of the UK Government Actuary Departments report on …
13 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the fifth Distribution Price Control Review, what impact a settlement below that requested by the distribution network operators would have on (a) maintaining secure energy supplies and (b) improving the standard of service for customers, particularly those living in ru…
Answer · Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to questions S3W-28931 and S3W-28932 on 27 November 2009. 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.…
13 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the fifth Distribution Price Control Review, what impact a settlement below that requested by the distribution network operators would have on connecting new onshore renewables necessary to achieving the targets set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
Answer · Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to questions S3W-28931 and S3W-28932 on 27 November 2009 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.sc…
13 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the fifth Distribution Price Control Review, what impact a settlement below that requested by the distribution network operators would have on meeting its objective of sustainable economic growth.
Answer · Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to questions S3W-28931 and S3W-28932 on 27 November 2009 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.sc…
13 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the fifth Distribution Price Control Review, what impact a settlement below that requested by the distribution network operators would have on securing and creating highly skilled jobs.
Answer · Jim Mather: Scottish ministers believe it is important the Distributed Price Control Review process allows for effective and efficient investment in Scotland''s electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure.</p> <p >This will help to ensure security of Scotla…
13 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Ofgem in relation to the fifth Distribution Price Control Review.
Answer · Jim Mather: Scottish ministers have regular, robust and positive engagement with Ofgem on a range of specific developments, projects and plans to upgrade and reinforce Scotland''s electricity grid network and strengthen our interconnections with other parts of the UK and…
12 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been paid to its civil servants in bonuses in each of the last 10 years, broken down by directorate.
Answer · John Swinney: The pay arrangements for staff below senior civil service level in the core directorate and agencies of the Scottish Government main bargaining unit provide for non-consolidated, taxable and non-pensionable payments in recognition of exceptional performance t…
29 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many new units of social housing are planned to be built in Berwickshire in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government Housing Investment Division, as the grant provider, and Scottish Borders Council, as the strategic housing authority, jointly consider the use of affordable housing funding across the whole of the Scottish Borders including Berwickshir…
29 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many new units of social housing were built in Berwickshire in (a) 2004, (b) 2005, (c) 2006, (d) 2007 and (e) 2008.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government Housing Investment Division, as the grant provider, and Scottish Borders Council, as the strategic housing authority, jointly consider the priorities for affordable housing funding across the whole of the Scottish Borders including Ber…
29 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of how many people are on the waiting list for social housing in Berwickshire.
Answer · Alex Neil: Scottish Borders Council has advised that there is no single waiting list figure for Berwickshire. There are a number of individual RSLs operating in the area, all with their own housing lists and allocation policies. These RSL housing lists, however, do not …
29 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives from Berwickshire Housing Association to discuss the supply of affordable housing in Berwickshire.
Answer · Alex Neil: Officials of the Scottish Government have met with representatives from Berwickshire Housing Association to discuss the supply of affordable housing in Berwickshire on two occasions in the last two months. On 4 September, the Housing Investment Division - Eas…
29 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is supporting the building of new affordable housing in Berwickshire.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government Housing Investment Division, as the grant provider, and Scottish Borders Council, as the strategic housing authority, jointly consider the priorities for affordable housing funding across the whole of the Scottish Borders including Ber…
14 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive who will be invited to give evidence to the reopened public local inquiry into the Fallago Rig wind farm.
Answer · Jim Mather: <em>Some 800 people who either participated in, or had an interest</em><i> </i><em>in the original inquiry (meaning </em>had either taken part in the original inquiry or sent a letter of representation in regard to the original application/inquiry)<em> were c…
14 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the reopened public local inquiry into the Fallago Rig wind farm will commence.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals are currently making arrangements with the main parties, namely North British Windpower, the Ministry of Defence and those third parties who have indicated that they wish to participate, in order to agree …
14 Oct 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish any legal advice it received in relation to the decision to reopen the public local inquiry into the Fallago Rig wind farm.
Answer · Jim Mather: Following requests under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act all legal advice received in relation to the reopening of the inquiry has been made available, subject to Freedom of Information legislation.</p>
23 Sep 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has had with Lothian and Borders Police about rural policing priorities.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill : <i >This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor1001-01.htm">http://www.scot…
3 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much public expenditure there has been in each Scottish parliamentary constituency since 1999.
Answer · John Swinney: This information is not held centrally. Scottish Government expenditure is collated by spending programme (i.e. type of spend) and not by geographical area. Local government expenditure is available by council area and health board expenditure is available by…
25 Aug 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Justice consulted the Parole Board for Scotland before releasing Mr Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi on compassionate grounds under section 3 of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 and, if so, what advice it issued.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Yes, the parole board was consulted. It recommended that Mr Megrahi was suitable for release on compassionate grounds and that, if he were to be released, the mandatory life licence conditions would be sufficient. The parole board''s advice has been published…
25 Aug 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it had with the UK Government in relation to releasing Mr Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi on compassionate grounds under section 3 of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: None. Correspondence with the United Kingdom Government relating to Mr Megrahi has been published and is available at <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/lockerbie">www.scotland.gov.uk/lockerbie</a>.</p>
25 Aug 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive who gave the Cabinet Secretary for Justice advice on the medical condition of Mr Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: As I explained in my statement on 20 August, the advice on which I based my decision was contained in a report dated 10 August from the Director of Health and Care for the Scottish Prison Service.</p> <p >He had access to and reviewed all the information ab…
25 Aug 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will release medical reports on Mr Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The medical report on which my decision was based was published on 20 August. It is available at <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/lockerbie">www.scotland.gov.uk/lockerbie</a>.</p>
25 Aug 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of guarding Mr Kafeel Ahmed in a Glasgow hospital from 30 June to 2 August 2007.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This is an operational matter for Strathclyde Police.</p>
25 Aug 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers were required to guard Mr Kafeel Ahmed in a Glasgow hospital from 30 June to 2 August 2007.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3O-7591 on 3 September, which is available from the official report on the Parliament''s website: </p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0903-02.h…