John Finnie

19 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which minister is responsible for airports that it or the Scottish Ministers own, either directly or through Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Minister for Transport and the Islands is responsible for Highlands and Islands Airports Limited. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work has portfolio responsibility for Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

19 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it sought assurances, and from whom, that the use of Wick Airport by C-17 US Aircraft complies with all regulations that relate to the specifications of the airport runway and hard standing areas, and that the airport's use by this type of aircraft was safe, and what responses it…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The UK Government owns the nuclear materials currently stored at Dounreay and is responsible for any movements of that material. The Scottish Government has been kept informed on the programme of movements, and has sought and received assurances about the saf…

19 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the Highland and Orkney Islands councils regarding Wick Airport being used for the transportation of highly enriched uranium from Dounreay to the US.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has made contact with these local authorities with respect to the programme of movements of nuclear materials from the Dounreay site, including the option of an air route from Wick Airport.

19 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 and other (a) health and safety and (b) aviation legislation applies to Wick Airport being used for the transportation of highly enriched uranium from Dounreay to the US.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: These Regulations are reserved, so this question is not within the responsibilities of the Scottish Government.

19 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that the runway at Wick Airport is unsuitable for use by C-17 US Aircraft, whether it or Highlands and Islands Airports Limited have met the Health and Safety Executive to discuss this issue.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The safe operation of Wick Airport is the responsibility of the Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) board, and fulfilling this responsibility is an operational matter for HIAL.

19 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take action to stop Wick Airport being used for the transportation of highly enriched uranium from Dounreay to the US pending an independent assessment of the safety of such activity.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: There will be on-going regular dialogue between the Scottish Government and the UK Government on the programme of movements of nuclear materials from Dounreay. The Scottish Government will continue to seek assurances on the safety and security of any movement…

19 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it has received that the highly enriched uranium transported from Dounreay to the US will not be used to arm nuclear warheads.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The UK Government is responsible for any transfers of nuclear materials from Dounreay. Any transfers to the United States are covered by an agreement for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy between the European Atomic Energy Community and the U…

19 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what factors were considered prior to the decision to allow Wick Airport to be used for the transportation of highly enriched uranium from Dounreay to the US.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The UK Government owns the nuclear materials currently stored at Dounreay and is responsible for any movements of that material. Any transfers to the United States are covered by an agreement for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy between the …

19 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how communities close to Wick Airport were consulted regarding it being used for the transportation of highly enriched uranium from Dounreay to the US.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Prior to any movements of nuclear materials from the Dounreay site, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority consults widely with stakeholders and local authorities.

19 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish any risk assessments associated with the use of Wick Airport for the transportation of highly enriched uranium from Dounreay to the US.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government does not hold this information.

19 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government who has responsibility for the transportation of highly enriched uranium from Dounreay to the US.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The UK Government owns the nuclear material currently stored at Dounreay and is responsible for any movements of that material. The regulation of any such movements is a reserved matter.

15 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the dualled section of A96 between Inverurie and Bucksburn complies with being a category 7A all-purpose dual carriageway as set out in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.

15 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding who is responsible for advising the DVLA when an HGV licence-holder is convicted of a so-called road-rage offence.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The conditions attached to the gaining and retention of drivers' licences is regulated by the Road Traffic Act 1988 and is a reserved matter for the UK Government. In the event an HGV driver is convicted of an endorsable offence, the Court will notify DVLA o…

6 Dec 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the bidders for the next Gourock to Dunoon ferry contract; when it expects to announce the preferred bidder, and when it will place the full procurement timetable for this contract on the Transport Scotland website.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I will shortly announce the way forward, ensuring the continued provision of the Gourock-Dunoon ferry services from 30 June 2017.

30 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04737 by Humza Yousaf on 30 November 2016, what "local harbour legislation" Cromarty Firth Port Authority/Port of Cromarty Firth operates within.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Port Authority operates within a number of pieces of local harbour legislation referred to collectively as The Cromarty Firth Port Authority Orders 1973 to 2003, the most recent of which are available on legislation.gov.

29 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the dualled section of A96 between Inverurie and Bucksburn complies with being a category 7A all-purpose dual carriageway as set out in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB).

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The current characteristics of the section of the A96 between Inverurie and Bucksburn are in line with a Category 5 dual all-purpose carriageway, which is generally kerbed or has a 1m hardstrip, has gaps in the central reserve and allows at-grade roundabouts.…

15 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will engage with stakeholders regarding the impact of the Harbours (Scotland) Act 2015, and what action it will take to gauge the success of the legislation in meeting its aims.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We have already engaged with affected ports and the Office for National Statistics on the impact of the 2015 Act, in particular its provisions relating to the repeal of the Scottish Ministers’ power to require a trust port to privatise. ONS has recently agr…

15 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether a trust port can operate a limited company.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: A trust port must act in accordance with the powers in its local legislation and in some cases that may include power to operate subsidiaries. It is the responsibility of individual Harbour Authorities to ensure they are operating within their established pow…

15 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role it plays in reviewing the work of trust ports.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has no specified role in reviewing the work of trust ports. All ports are required to operate within the terms of their local harbour legislation. The Scottish Government engages with the wider port industry at a variety of levels, in…

15 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has issued to trust ports regarding the conflict that might arise between their obligation to manage the assets of ports for the benefit of (a) service users, (b) employees, (c) local communities, (d) public authorities and (e) other stakeholders and any direct interest …

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has not issued specific guidance to trust ports on this matter. Ports must act in accordance with the functions conferred upon them in their local legislation. Trust Ports are expected to take account of guidance in ‘Modern Trust Port…

10 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03990 by Shona Robison on 4 November 2016, who is responsible for ensuring that NHS boards comply with its guidance "that any private work undertaken in NHS facilities must not be to the detriment of NHS patients waiting for treatment".

Answer · Shona Robison: I expect Scottish Government officials as part of their regular waiting time support meetings to ensure that NHS Boards are not undertaking any private work in their hospitals that would be detrimental to NHS patients on the waiting list.

10 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03993 by Shona Robison on 4 November 2016, if the information regarding how much income NHS boards receive in relation to private patients being treated in their facilities is not available centrally, how it can make an accurate assessment of each b…

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government assesses Health Boards’ financial positions through formal Annual and Mid-Year Reviews, and through review of financial plans including annual Local Delivery Plans. Health Boards also provide monthly financial returns to Scottish Gover…

10 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-03990 by Shona Robison on 4 November 2016, on how many occasions each NHS board has not followed its guidance "that any private work undertaken in NHS facilities must not be to the detriment of NHS patients waiting for treatment", and what subsequen…

Answer · Shona Robison: There is no indication that NHS Boards are not following Scottish Government guidance.

4 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve the resilience of (a) passenger and (b) freight ferry services on the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry route operated by CalMac Ferries.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04522 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusines…

4 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when Transport Scotland officials last met representatives of (a) Associated British Ports and (b) P&O Ferries.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Transport Scotland officials last met formally with representatives of Associated British Ports on 13 September 2016 and P&O Ferries on 9 June 2015.

4 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve the resilience of (a) passenger and (b) freight ferry services on Clyde and Hebrides ferry routes operated by CalMac Ferries.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government is continuing to invest in new vessels and ferry infrastructure for the Clyde and Hebrides network, introducing newer and more resilient vessels. Two new vessels have been procured at a cost of £97m, with the vessels due for delivery …

4 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve port and harbour infrastructure on the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry route operated by CalMac Ferries.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04522 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusines…

4 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what maritime infrastructure projects it has discussed with representatives of private owners of ports in Scotland since January 2015.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Transport Scotland officials have discussed maritime infrastructure proposals at various stages of consideration with representatives of a number of privately operated ports in Scotland since January 2015. There is no definitive list of these meetings availab…

4 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of multi-modal harbours on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network, and what plans it has to integrate public transport services across the ferries network.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Caledonian MacBrayne, the ferry operator for the Clyde and Hebrides network, provide multi-modal transport information for each of the harbours on their website: www.calmac.co.uk/interactivemap. Under the new Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service contract, CalMac…

2 Nov 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Ministry of Defence in the last year regarding the environment.