Mike MacKenzie

29 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the UK Government’s 5p fuel derogation will apply to hauliers and other companies in Scotland that bulk-buy fuel or whether this is only applicable to forecourt sales.

Answer · John Swinney: The UK Government has only made the fuel duty derogation available to sales from forecourts. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth wrote to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 1 March 2012, seeking clarification on the treatm…

8 Feb 2012 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it can give to local authorities in the Highlands and Islands region to assist them in achieving sustainable economic growth.

18 Jan 2012 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it can assist private owners meet the costs of common repairs where councils or housing associations propose significant improvements or repairs to the external fabric of blocks of flats with a proportion of private ownership.

21 Dec 2011 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of it encouraging pay restraint in the public sector, how it is ensures that employment conditions in its agencies are not eroded.

Answer · John Swinney: Although the Scottish Government considers that it is currently necessary to constrain pay settlements where we control pay, our pay policy has always sought to ensure that public sector pay is fair. I do not wish to see this eroded because of the unprecedent…

23 Nov 2011 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that the quality of further education is being maintained in rural areas.

9 Nov 2011 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what reassurances it can provide that the quality of rural health services will be maintained, especially in the more remote rural areas of the Highlands and Islands region.

19 Oct 2011 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to raise the educational attainment level of young people in rural areas.

14 Sep 2011 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to speed up the application process for the Scotland Rural Development Programme.

7 Sep 2011 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to combat unemployment in the Highlands and Islands.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is supporting partners in Highlands and Islands to identify opportunities to boost employment and seek solutions to counter local unemployment. In line with the refreshed Government Economic Strategy (GES) published last week, we cont…

24 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is assisting and supporting the restoration of Castle Tioram.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The owner of Castle Tioram, Mr Brown, has had talks with Historic Scotland to outline his plans to make the castle habitable once more. It is very early in the process and any proposed works will require scheduled monument consent and will be assessed in lin…

2 Jun 2011 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that provision is made for extra costs associated with social housing in fragile rural communities.

25 May 2011 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, given the pressure on public sector budgets, what steps have been taken to ensure that quality of support for disabled people is safeguarded.

19 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recommends the involvement of external bodies in assisting local authorities on consulting with children regarding proposals for school closures and, if so, which bodies does it recommend.

Answer · Michael Russell: It is for local authorities to decide how to consult with children regarding proposals for school closures. Guidance in this area is available from the office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People, entitled Participants, Not Pawns, (Guidance on Co…

19 May 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is guidance on appropriate ways to consult children regarding proposals to close schools.

Answer · Michael Russell: Following the introduction of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. The office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People, and Children in Scotland, produced practical guidance aimed at assisting local authorities in undertaking their duty to…