David Whitton

9 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who decided on the details of the remuneration package for the post of chief executive of Scottish Enterprise.

Answer · Jim Mather: Under the Enterprise and New Towns Act, ministers must be consulted on remuneration for the chief executive. In considering remuneration, ministers took into account the Scottish Government''s <i >Public Sector Pay Policy for Senior Appointments,</i> together…

9 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many applicants there were for the recently filled post of chief executive of Scottish Enterprise; how many were internal candidates, and how many were from abroad.

Answer · Jim Mather: Recruitment is a matter for Scottish Enterprise in line with Scottish Government''s guidance on <i >Appointment and Remuneration of Chief Executives. </i>I have asked the Scottish Enterprise Chairman to write to you in this regard.</p>

25 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22027 by John Swinney on 23 March 2009, when it will announce its decision on the implementation of transitional relief for non-domestic rates.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22027, on 23 March 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/Apps2…

25 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will advertise contracts with a value of less than £50,000 on the Public Contracts Scotland website.

Answer · John Swinney: The Public Contracts Scotland advertising portal advertises contracts of all values, both above and below £50,000. It is the responsibility of purchasing staff to decide what level of advertising is appropriate for individual contracts. Further information is…

10 Jun 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the recommendations of the Calman Commission on Scottish Devolution.

Answer · Michael Russell : <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/sor0618-01.htm">http://www.scot…

13 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Answer · John Swinney: I will write to the member as soon as the information is available. A copy of the response will be available from Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 48199).</p>

13 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Answer · John Swinney: I will write to the member as soon as the information is available. A copy of the response will be available from Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 48199).</p>

13 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Answer · John Swinney: I will write to the member as soon as the information is available. A copy of the response will be available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 48199).</p>

13 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Minister for Parliamentary Business since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Answer · John Swinney: I will write to the member as soon as the information is available. A copy of the response will be available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 48199).</p>

13 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Answer · John Swinney: I will write to the member as soon as the information is available. A copy of the response will be available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 48199).</p>

13 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements have been undertaken by the First Minister since May 2007, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Answer · John Swinney: I will write to the member as soon as the information is available. A copy of the response will be available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 48199).</p>

11 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects (a) construction work to begin on, (b) construction work to be complete on and (c) the first prisoners to move into the new prison at Low Moss.

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 procurement process is underway and a detailed evaluation of bids is being undertaken by an SPS team. Once all the relevant inf…

11 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to announce details of the contract to build the new prison at Low Moss.

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 procurement process is underway and a detailed evaluation of bids is being undertaken by an SPS team. Once all the relevant inf…

8 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21405 by John Swinney on 6 March 2009, when the Scottish Futures Trust will publish an annual report on its activities together with its audited annual accounts.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Futures Trust has until 31 December 2009 to lay its annual report and accounts for the 2008-09 year before the Scottish Parliament.</p>

23 Apr 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that a voluntary quota for broadcasting Scottish music on radio stations would be supported by the industry.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government is keen to look at ways to maintain and enhance the quantity of Scottish music played on radio stations. A voluntary quota and other ways of ensuring a stronger commitment to support the music industry in Scotland will therefore be con…

18 Mar 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce a strategy on creating green jobs.

Answer · John Swinney : <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/sor0326-01.htm">http://www.scot…

17 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will implement transitional relief for non-domestic rates and, if so, what the timeline will be for any consultation.

Answer · John Swinney: It is too early in the revaluation process to make any announcement about Transitional Relief. Decisions will be taken in the context of upward or downward movement in rateable values across all classes of property, and any change in the poundage rate. Any ne…

17 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that devolved public authorities advertise their tendering opportunities on the new national online procurement portal, Public Contracts Scotland (PCS), and which authorities have still to sign up to PCS.

Answer · John Swinney: Over 900 staff across the wider public sector have now been trained in using the portal and 100 Scottish public bodies are currently advertising opportunities. A list of the bodies that are either advertising on the portal or are in the process of implementin…

17 Mar 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that all devolved public authorities settle invoices within 10 days of receipt and whether it will publish performance figures for local authorities, individual departments and agencies.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting business in the current economic situation by paying bills more quickly. The intention is to achieve payment of all undisputed invoices within 10 working days, across all public bodies.</p> <p >The target,…

26 Feb 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will guarantee funding for local authorities to carry out flood prevention work in line with recommendation 36 of the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee’s Stage 1 Report on the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: <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/sor0226-01.htm">http://www.scot…

12 Feb 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in the allocation of accelerated spending on affordable housing.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: <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/sor0212-01.htm">http://www.scot…

5 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how local traders and trade associations will be able to have an input into how the Town Centre Regeneration Fund is spent.

Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20618 on 26 February 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/App…

5 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether guidance will be issued to local authorities as to how the Town Centre Regeneration Fund should be spent.

Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20618 on 26 February 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/App…

5 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Town Centre Regeneration Fund will be ring-fenced for local authorities.

Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20618 on 26 February 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/App…

5 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be a cap on the amount of Town Centre Regeneration Fund distributed to each local authority.

Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20618 on 26 February 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/App…

5 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the Town Centre Regeneration Fund will be distributed among local authorities.

Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the question S3W-20618 answered on 26 February 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…

5 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Town Centre Regeneration Fund will be available to local authorities.

Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20618 on 26 February 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/App…

15 Jan 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on the measures that it is taking to help those facing repossession of their houses.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: <i > This PQ was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></b></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0115-01.htm">http://www.scotti…

8 Jan 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met the chief executive of Skills Development Scotland and what was discussed.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: <i > This PQ 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/sor0108-01.htm">http://www.scottish.p…

18 Dec 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many redundancies it would expect as a result of the proposals for Forestry Commission land outlined in its consultation on forestry provisions in the Scottish Climate Change Bill.

Answer · Michael Russell: There will be no compulsory redundancies from Forestry Commission Scotland arising from the consultation exercise and wider options review.</p>