- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 05 December 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20247 by Cathy Jamieson on 9 November 2005, when the annual competency tests and Continuous Professional Development programme were introduced for fingerprint experts.
Answer
The annual competency tests for fingerprint officers in the Scottish Fingerprint Service began in 2002. The Continuous Professional Development programme was introduced in 2003.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 05 December 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the answers to questions S2W-20244 and S2W-20247 by Cathy Jamieson on 9 November 2005 and the level of media publicity regarding the case referred to in these answers, whether it is able to release any further information and whether it is able to comment on those matters beyond the fact that the case is active and what the reasons are for its position on the matter.
Answer
The case remains sub judice and I am not able to comment further.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers the ideal distance should be of a major urban settlement from any motorway.
Answer
There is no such specified standard.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers the benefits to be of the new Auchenkilns grade separated junction on the A80.
Answer
The new junction has removed a significant bottleneck from the A80. It will greatly ease traffic flow, improving journey times, reliability and removing pollution generated as a result of queueing traffic.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reduce the volume of traffic on the A803.
Answer
The A803 is a local road and it is the statutory responsibility of North Lanarkshire Council as local roads authority to manage the operation and maintenance of its local roads, including addressing any issues relating to traffic volumes.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20863 by Cathy Jamieson on 29 November 2005 and if it is the case that failure to meet a particular contractual commitment is not a breach of contract, what the definition is of a breach of contract.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:
The responsibilities of each of the contracting parties are fully defined in the Minute of the Agreement to the contract which can be viewed at www.sps.gov.uk.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20863 by Cathy Jamieson on 29 November 2005 and if it is the case that failure to meet a particular contractual commitment is not a breach of contract, whether this is the position in relation to all contracts it or its agencies sign or just in the specific case of the contract with Premier Prison Services Ltd to operate HM Prison Kilmarnock.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:
I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-21258 on 15 December 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether an upgrade to the A80 from Stepps to Haggs through Cumbernauld to full motorway status would accommodate the volume of traffic expected on that route in (a) 10, (b) 20 and (c) 30 years time.
Answer
The M80 on line upgrade is not designed for unconstrained growth. If required, integral demand management measures will be deployed to maintain an acceptable level of service on the route.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive how it considers that Transport Scotland will improve the transport system.
Answer
As an executive agency of the Scottish Executive, Transport Scotland will have a clear remit focused on delivery of transport services and delivery, distinct from the wider role of a Government department and with the relevant skills and resources all in one place. It therefore has a visible and understandable role in the eyes of the public, whilst remaining accountable to Scottish ministers through the Chief Executive.
Transport Scotland will provide a centre of excellence with the right professional skills to deliver major transport projects in Scotland – making the most of the £3 billion capital programme for public transport and roads that we have committed over the next decade – as well as transport services which support integration – such as the national concessionary fares scheme, integrated ticketing and Real Time Information.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 December 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the upgrading of the A80 from Stepps to Haggs through Cumbernauld to full motorway status or the construction of a motorway through the identified Kelvin Valley route to join the M80 at Stepps to the M80 at Haggs would cause less disruption to existing traffic flow.
Answer
By maintaining two lanes open in each direction between 6am and 8pm, the disruption of constructing an on line upgrade will be minimised. Self evidently, construction of an off line route would cause even less disruption.
