Parliamentary questions
John Lamont
759 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out on a link between a reduction in corporation tax and employment rates if Scotland became independent.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15187 on 03 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybu…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of the impact that a 3% reduction in corporation tax would have on the Scottish economy and whether it will publish this analysis.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15187 on 03 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybu…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported comments by the Deputy First Minister on 17 April 2013, whether it will seek to introduce a 50p tax rate if Scotland became independent.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15868 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentary…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what changes it would seek to make to personal taxation bands if Scotland became independent.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15868 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentary…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase any forms of taxation if Scotland became independent and when.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15868 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentary…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether all income tax levels in an independent Scotland would remain the same as in the rest of the UK.
Answer · John Swinney: Independence would provide the Scottish Government with the key economic and fiscal levers to promote sustainable economic growth and to tackle inequalities as set out in the Fiscal Commission Working Group’s first report. The paper can be found at: http://ww…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the external (a) crime and (b) security threats to an independent Scotland.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: As I indicated at the Foreign Affairs Committee on 28 January 2013, in common with many other countries, the threats that an independent Scotland would face include: cyber threat, international terrorism, the threat that comes from global instability and the …
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the recruitment of officers and civilians trained in counter terrorism for an independent Scotland.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Building on the responsibilities that it currently discharges, an independent Scotland will have an appropriate range of capabilities to deal with counter terrorism. In the event of independence, the recruitment and training of officers and civilians will be …
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how an independent Scotland would provide for the UK-wide counter terrorism responsibilities currently carried out by the Metropolitan Police and at what cost.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Police Service of Scotland is currently responsible for counter-terrorism policing in Scotland with some specialist capacity provided by partners and this situation would continue post-independence. We do not expect this to give rise to increased costs.
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for an independent Scotland's representation in foreign embassies and consulates.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15890 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentary…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for an independent Scotland's cross-border cooperation on serious and organised crime and how it would compare with the current UK-wide system.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Serious and organised crime does not respect or recognise borders between countries. Cross-border information sharing powers already exist in legislation and operate effectively, across the rest of the UK and wider. Current arrangements are equally beneficial…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what relationship an independent Scotland would have with the proposed National Crime Agency.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Well-established arrangements exist to ensure effective cooperation between Police Scotland and the Serious Organised Crime Agency, and will continue once the National Crime Agency becomes operational later this year. Police Scotland will continue to work wit…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of an independent Scotland's need to negotiate separate extradition treaties with other countries.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: An independent Scottish Government would continue with the treaty rights and obligations of the UK which currently apply in Scotland.
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in an independent Scotland, what arrangements it would put in place to ensure cooperation between the Scottish intelligence and security agencies and those in the rest of the UK.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: As I said at the Foreign Affairs Committee on 28 January 2013, there would be a very close relationship between Scotland and the rest of the UK. It would clearly be in the interests of the rest of the UK and Scotland to work together to ensure the continued s…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in an independent Scotland, what arrangements it would put in place to ensure cooperation between Police Scotland and forces in the rest of the UK.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: There are well-established arrangements to ensure effective cross-border cooperation between Police Scotland and forces in the rest of the UK. The arrangements operate effectively to ensure public safety for citizens. The Scottish Government would continue to…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of Scotland separating from the rest of the UK on the (a) attractiveness of the country to and (b) pricing structures of internet service providers.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government will publish its detailed white paper with positive proposals for the opportunities of independence in the autumn. Political parties, stakeholders, and individuals will have their own preferences for the policies to be pursued in an in…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of Scotland separating from the rest of the UK on (a) broadband infrastructure investment, (b) investment in satellite broadband technologies, (c) current UK internet domain name registration processes, (d) the cost to business of replacing the i…
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government is already making a significant investment in broadband infrastructure. Our Step Change programme will see an investment of over £410 million to deliver fibre broadband to 85 per cent of Scottish properties by the end of 2015 and aroun…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether people would have to reapply for driving licences if Scotland separated from the rest of the UK.
Answer · Keith Brown: No. The Scottish Government will ensure all licences granted by the DVLA are recognised in Scotland at the point of independence.
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether an independent Scotland would have its own (a) driver and vehicle licensing and (b) driving standards agency and, if so, how much it would cost to (i) establish and (ii) run.
Answer · Keith Brown: These functions are currently reserved, and on independence would become the responsibility of the parliament and government of an independent Scotland. In delivering these functions, an independent Scotland would ensure continuity of services and would fully…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how independence might impact on areas of Scotland that rely on mobile telephone masts located in England, and whether people in such areas might be subject to international call roaming charges.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Roaming charges are currently applied at the discretion of companies and up to specific EU limits. They are not automatic. The European Commission has cut charges for voice calls, texts and internet access by 75% since 2007, and Commissioners voted in June 20…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of how cross-border trading standards cases would be (a) investigated and (b) enforced in an independent Scotland.
Answer · John Swinney: An independent Scotland would comply with the European framework for consumer protection, including cross-border regulations. Following a vote for independence the Scottish Government would work closely with the UK Government to ensure consumers and legitimat…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of who would be responsible for policing cross-border (a) rail and (b) air services in an independent Scotland.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The policing of rail services is presently performed by the British Transport Police (BTP). The Scottish Government has repeatedly made the case for the integration of BTP services with the Police Service in Scotland (PSS). Independence would ensure that the …
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the international legal obligations that currently apply to the UK that an independent Scotland would have to adhere to.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: As an independent nation, Scotland would continue to meet all legal obligations that flow from its membership of international organisations and would intend to continue with other current treaty rights and obligations.
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of what would be the final court of appeal in an independent Scotland before a case was referred to the European Court of Justice.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15936 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentary…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of what role the Supreme Court would have in the appeals process of an independent Scotland.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government has said in Scotland's Future: from the Referendum to Independence and a Written Constitution that it will provide for the Supreme Court of an independent Scotland. The supreme court structure will build upon the existing infrastructur…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether firms in an independent Scotland would be expected to adhere to the existing UK Corporate Governance Code.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15914 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentary…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the need for a double taxation treaty between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Answer · John Swinney: Tax affairs between the two countries would be governed by negotiated agreements and these would enable businesses to plan their future operations and also ensure that an independent Scotland is an attractive and competitive place to do business. The passing…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in an independent Scotland, what the taxation position will be for (a) Scots with equity investments listed on the London Stock Exchange and (b) foreign investors in companies registered in Scotland.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-15868 and S4W-15876 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.u…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what body would undertake the functions of (a) the Financial Reporting Council, (b) Companies House and (c) the Competition Commission in an independent Scotland.
Answer · John Swinney: Our proposals for competition regulation in an independent Scotland were laid out in the discussion paper Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland. This can be found online at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/02/1911. In d…
21 Jun 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what corporate governance regulatory body and regimes would be put in place for (a) company directors, (b) accountants, (c) auditors and (d) actuaries in an independent Scotland.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answers to questions S4W-15914 and S4W-15924 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.u…