John Finnie

2 Jun 2015 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for rail freight hubs.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Rail hubs are privately owned facilities and it remains the responsibility of operators to determine whether to invest in existing facilities to support growth or to create new ones. The Scottish Government will continue to support this process, for example t…

27 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comments by a Crown Office spokesperson on 24 May 2015 relating to the reinvestigation of the murder of Emma Caldwell, for what reason it has not provided a substantive answer to question S4W-25295 on this issue, providing a holding answer on 14 May, and when it will do …

Answer · Frank Mulholland: After consideration of the information relating to the murder of Emma Caldwell the Lord Advocate has ordered Police Scotland to reinvestigate the case. The Lord Advocate has now met the family of Emma Caldwell to explain the process involved. Police Scotland …

26 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it received the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals' report on the Allt Duine windfarm development and when it will announce its decision.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Public Local Inquiry report was received by Scottish Ministers on 24 June 2013. A decision will be issued in due course

26 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many times it has overruled the recommendation of a public inquiry when determining an application for a windfarm development under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: None.

21 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to its (a) directorates and (b) agencies regarding when it would be appropriate to (i) examine and (ii) comment on views that staff members have expressed online or through other types of media.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has an IT code of conduct which forms part of employees terms and conditions This code provides guidance on the Scottish Government computer network and, in particular, e-mail and the use of the Internet. It also outlines the policy on…

20 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much Serco NorthLink has spent on (a) vessel maintenance, (b) staff training, (c) onboard passenger services and (d) information technology in each year since July 2012.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The following table details the expenditure Serco NorthLink Ltd have spent on vessel maintenance, staff training, on-board passenger services and information technology in each year since July 2012 (given in contract year format July to June). Vessel Maint…

20 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on what dividends have been paid by Serco NorthLink since July 2012.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The contract for the Northern Isles Ferry Services is between the Scottish Ministers and Serco Ltd. Serco NorthLink is an operating unit, not a subsidiary, of Serco Ltd. Dividends payable by Serco Ltd are available by reference to their published annual repor…

7 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will delay issuing the invitation to tender for the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract until the result of CalMac’s consultation with its employees regarding changes to their pension rights.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Clyde and Hebrides ferry services procurement timeline is in place to ensure the continued provision of life line ferry services from 1 October 2016. The initial invitation to tender will thus issue as planned.

7 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the deficit was at the last valuation of the CalMac pension fund in 2012.

Answer · Derek Mackay: £32.2 million.

7 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its contribution to the CalMac pension fund has been in each year since 2007.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government has contributed £3 million in financial years 2013-14 and 2014-15 to the CalMac pension fund. The Scottish Government has committed to maintaining this level of payments to the fund until 2024 as part of the recovery plan put in place …

7 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the result of Caledonian MacBrayne’s planned consultation with employees on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) regarding reform of the CalMac pension fund will be included in the specifications of the invitation to tender for the next CHFS contract.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The objective of the Scottish Government is to protect CalMac employees by ensuring provisions for a fair, affordable and sustainable pension scheme are written into the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) contract. Pension provisions will be outlin…

7 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that Caledonian MacBrayne’s planned consultation with its employees on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) regarding reform of the CalMac pension fund does not harm its bid for the next CHFS contract.

Answer · Derek Mackay: David MacBrayne Ltd’s planned consultation with its employees and their representatives on proposed changes to the CalMac pension fund and the preparation by its operating subsidiary, CalMac Ferries Ltd, of a tender submission for the next CHFS contract are m…

7 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Caledonian MacBrayne regarding its proposals for reform of the CalMac pension fund, and whether it will publish the proposals.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Scottish Government ministers and officials have had a number of discussions with David MacBrayne Ltd (the parent company of CalMac Ferries Ltd) regarding the financial health of the CalMac pension fund in the context of the government’s policy that public se…

7 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number of occasions on which a public sector contract has been tendered while the workforce was being consulted by the existing contractor regarding reforms to their pension scheme.

Answer · Derek Mackay: This information is not held centrally.

7 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the next actuarial evaluation of the CalMac pension fund will take place.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The triennial valuation date for the CalMac pension fund was 6 April 2015. The actuarial valuation report is expected in October 2015.

7 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that all bidders for the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract are bound to the same pension commitments in the invitation to tender document.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The objective of the Scottish Government is to protect CalMac employees by ensuring provisions for a fair, affordable and sustainable pension scheme are written into the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract. These provisions will be described in th…

7 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its policy is to reform the CalMac pension fund before the start of the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract in October 2016.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government’s policy is that public sector pensions should be fair, affordable and sustainable. Reform of pensions should be in response to the financial health of individual schemes. Changes to individual schemes are for the employers and the emp…

7 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of Caledonian MacBrayne and whether the CalMac pension fund was discussed.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Transport Scotland officials meet representatives of CalMac Ferries Ltd on a regular basis to discuss a range of contractual, operational, policy and sponsorship issues. I met the David MacBrayne Ltd board on 22 April 2015. The CalMac pension fund was amongs…

7 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the outcome of the trial in 2013 that examined the feasibility of moving bulk spirit and other food products between Elgin and Grangemouth by rail, whether the safety benefits that were identified for the A9, A95, A96 and other roads will be taken account of when appraising …

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government’s Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance requires an assessment of safety benefits as part of the overall appraisal process for transport investment. In addition, safety benefits of transferring freight from road to rail are fully taken…

7 May 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) deaths, (b) serious injuries and (c) minor injuries there have been each year since 1999 in incidents that involved (i) whisky road tankers, (ii) HGVs on the A9 between Perth and Inverness and (iii) freight trains on the main line between Perth and Inverness, and what inform…

Answer · Derek Mackay: The number of accidents involving whisky road tankers is not available as they cannot be identified separately from other HGVs in the information obtained from Police Scotland regarding road accidents via the STATS 19 data collection system. Accident data in…

30 Apr 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much double-tracking between Inverness and Nairn, as set in August 2014 in the document, Aberdeen to Inverness Rail Improvements Project GRIP 3 – Phase 1 Enhancements, is to be provided; where it will be laid, and what the timescale is for the work.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Infrastructure improvements for the Aberdeen to Inverness Improvements project, including some double tracking between Inverness and Nairn, will be prioritised for delivery in the next phase of the project (during Control Period 6 2019-24). I can confirm that…

30 Apr 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the extra commuter trains between Inverness and Elgin, which were discussed at the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership board meeting of 10 April 2015, will become operational; what times of day they will operate, and how it will ensure that there will be sufficient (a) train…

Answer · Derek Mackay: Transport Scotland is currently working with Abellio, Scotrail and Network Rail, progressing the development work that will ensure that the opportunities presented by investment in the Aberdeen-Inverness line for passengers and freight are realised as early a…

15 Apr 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Lord Advocate will make a statement following recent press reports regarding the investigation into the murder of Emma Caldwell.

Answer · Lesley Thomson: After consideration of the information relating to the murder of Emma Caldwell the Lord Advocate has ordered Police Scotland to reinvestigate the case. The Lord Advocate has now met the family of Emma Caldwell to explain the process involved. Police Scotland …

3 Mar 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of reports of a reduction in the profile of the Gaelic language on the MV Loch Seaforth.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government is unaware of any reports regarding the reduction in the profile of the Gaelic language on the MV Loch Seaforth. CalMac Ferries Ltd remains committed to the promotion of the Gaelic language and this is continued on MV Loch Seaforth. Re…

3 Mar 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that, when (a) it and (b) its regulated public bodies operate on a per-capita funding basis, the challenges of geography are taken into consideration so that this does have not a negative impact on remote or rural areas.

Answer · John Swinney: The allocation of resources is driven by the ‘Purpose of the Scottish Government’: to create a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish through increasing sustainable economic growth. Any regional allocation of central Scot…

3 Mar 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what evaluation it has carried out of the effectiveness of its Gaelic language plan; when it will next carry out an evaluation, and who it will consult on this.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: In 2013 Bòrd na Gidhlig commissioned FE Scott to carry out an independent study on the delivery of the commitments contained in a number of Gaelic language plans including the Scottish Government. This study found that the Scottish Government was indeed meeti…

3 Mar 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government to what extent it can direct its regulated public bodies to follow its policies.

Answer · John Swinney: The nature of each regulated public body’s relationship with the Scottish Ministers is outlined in its founding legislation and framework document. All public bodies operate within a policy context determined by ministers and should therefore contribute to th…

27 Feb 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that mountain rescue services remain properly funded.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government provides annual grant funding to Scottish Mountain Rescue (SMR) of £312,000, to distribute to the 27 voluntary teams across Scotland, and is the only government in the UK to do so. The Scottish Government has taken steps to develop a g…

27 Feb 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many times each of the four weekday trains from Wick was cancelled for all or part of its journey due to (a) track problems including signalling and (b) congestion on the line due to other trains being late in the period from July to December 2014.

Answer · Derek Mackay: There were 13 full or part cancellations reported for the six months 1 July to 31 December 2014 for trains from Wick to Inverness, for the reasons cited in the question. The reported reasons include: Reason Number of full or part cancellations Track defect…

25 Feb 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on how many instances involving children under 16 police officers have (a) drawn and (b) discharged a Taser in each of the last three years.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The recording of this information is a matter for Police Scotland. The Chief Constable must refer any incident where a firearm has been used (including handguns, Tasers and CS Sprays) to the independent Police Investigations and Review Commissioner who will …