Alison McInnes

16 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering reviewing the planning gain mechanism and, if so, what specific changes it is considering; what impact these changes will have, and when the review will be published.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-32439 on 15 April 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/…

9 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual distribution of income from business rates has been in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · John Swinney: The following table shows the amount of business rates income distributed for each of the last three years, broken down by local authority.</p> <p >The Scottish Government guarantees each local authority a combination of distributable business rates plus gen…

9 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much revenue has been collected through business rates in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · John Swinney: The following table shows the amount of business rates collected by each local authority in each of the last three years.</p> <p >The Scottish Government guarantees each local authority a combination of distributable business rates plus general revenue grant…

5 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that the use of Taser guns in Scotland does not emulate that in the United States where there have been reportedly over 300 Taser gun-related fatalities since 2001.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31575 on 3 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/B…

5 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what training Strathclyde police officers will receive during the three-day training course on Taser gun use on ensuring that all individuals subject to a Taser gun discharge receive adequate medical evaluation, especially those with epilepsy, diabetes, asthma or heart disease.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31575 on 3 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/B…

5 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of concerns expressed by Amnesty International in its report, “Less than lethal?” The use of stun weapons in US law enforcement, regarding the effects of Taser guns on individuals with medical conditions such as epilepsy, what consideration it has given to the public safety impl…

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31575 on 3 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/B…

5 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of concerns expressed by Amnesty International in its report, “Less than lethal?” The use of stun weapons in US law enforcement, what consideration it has given to the public safety implications of extending the use of Taser guns beyond authorised firearms officers in the Strath…

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31575 on 3 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/B…

5 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of concerns expressed by Amnesty International in its report, “Less than lethal?” The use of stun weapons in US law enforcement, regarding the use of Taser guns on individuals suffering from seizures, what training Strathclyde police officers will receive during the three-day tr…

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31575 on 3 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/B…

5 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what epilepsy awareness training will be provided to police officers using Taser guns to ensure recognition of potentially unresponsive, uncommunicative or possibly aggressive behaviour resulting from a complex partial seizure.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31575 on 3 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/B…

5 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether a Taser gun discharge could destabilise an individual with well controlled epilepsy.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31575 on 3 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/B…

5 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the electro-shock from a Taser gun could trigger a seizure in an individual with a low seizure threshold.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Firearms legislation is reserved, and is the responsibility of the UK Government. The deployment and use of firearms is an operational matter for chief constables. Scottish police forces follow guidance contained in the Association of Chief Police Officers'' …

2 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-30964 by Stewart Stevenson on 29 January 2010, who it plans to consult on the preferred road alignment for the replacement Inveramsay Bridge.  

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Once the costed options for the rail bridge have been produced, Transport Scotland will consider the way forward regarding consultation on the preferred road alignment.</p>

2 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-30964 by Stewart Stevenson on 29 January 2010, when it expects to start the consultation on a preferred road alignment for the replacement Inveramsay Bridge. 

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Consultation on a preferred road alignment for the replacement Inveramsay Bridge will take place after the current work on costed options. The work on the costed options is being taken forward as part of Network Rail''s development of our proposals for the Ab…

2 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-30964 by Stewart Stevenson on 29 January 2010, when it expects work on costed options for the replacement Inveramsay Bridge to be completed.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The work on the costed options is being taken forward as part of Network Rail''s development of our proposals for the Aberdeen to Inverness rail line. This work is programmed to be undertaken over the next 12 months.</p>

21 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has carried out on the need for road realignment associated with the construction of the replacement Inveramsay Bridge.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: All transport projects must pass through a series of statutory and design stages before they can proceed to the delivery stage.</p> <p >Consultation on a preferred road realignment for the replacement Inveramsay Bridge will therefore take place after the cur…

21 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has identified what compulsory purchase orders will be required prior to the construction of the replacement Inveramsay Bridge. 

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-30010 on<strong> 11 January 2010</strong>. 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.p…

21 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when construction work will begin on the replacement Inveramsay Bridge. 

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: All transport projects must pass through a series of statutory and design stages before they can proceed to the delivery stage.</p> <p >In the context of the replacement Inveramsay Bridge, this will involve consideration of its location and the likely disru…

21 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimated cost is of the replacement Inveramsay Bridge. 

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We are working with Network Rail, in developing costed options.</b></p>

20 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with plans for the new HMP Grampian.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >SPS are preparing to submit a planning application with Aberdeenshire Council and discussions are being held with relevant …

20 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has put contracts for construction of the new HMP Grampian out to tender.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >No. This will not be done until after planning permission has been obtained.</p>

20 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when construction of the new HMP Grampian will begin.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >It is anticipated that construction will begin in 2012.</p>

20 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether planning permission has been sought for the new HMP Grampian. 

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >SPS are preparing to submit a planning application with Aberdeenshire Council and discussions are being held with relevant …

13 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was for each (a) minister and (b) official of (i) travel to and (ii) accommodation at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29975 on 17 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/…

13 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings ministers and officials attended at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, broken down by (a) meeting and (b) attendees.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29975 on 17 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/…

13 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many officials attended the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29975 on 17 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/…

13 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many bus monitoring officer posts there have been in the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland area in each year since their inception and how many such posts were funded by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The post of Bus Compliance Officer (BCO) was created within the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) in 1999. The role of BCOs is to monitor bus services to ensure that they are operating in line with their service registrations. BCOs provide reports t…

6 Jan 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will lay before the Parliament the orders necessary to allow work to commence on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Orders for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route were laid before Parliament on the 18 January 2010.</p>

14 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to its news release on 26 November 2009, More new schools, what criteria qualified the one further primary school in Glasgow for inclusion among the primary schools allocated funding through the school building programme.

Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-30033 on 15 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/Apps…

14 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to its news release on 26 November 2009, More new schools, what negotiations there were regarding the inclusion of one further primary school in Glasgow among the primary schools allocated funding through the school building programme and what role the Cabinet Secretary fo…

Answer · Keith Brown: The announcement was made after engagement and discussion between the Scottish Government and COSLA at both ministerial and official levels.</p>

14 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to its news release on 26 November 2009, More new schools, for what reason the one further primary school in Glasgow included among the primary schools allocated funding through the school building programme is not named.

Answer · Keith Brown: Each local authority was invited by the Scottish Government and COSLA to nominate two priority primary projects for consideration. Glasgow City Council was offered funding support for three projects and, since the announcement, has been invited to name a thir…