- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 27 January 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Colin Boyd on 7 February 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22351 by Colin Boyd QC on 24 January 2006, who would find it unhelpful to speculate as to information which would constitute a credible allegation in respect of the ongoing allegations that US agencies have been using the process of “extraordinary rendition”, unlawfully facilitated through various Scottish airports.
Answer
I would reiterate that speculation, meaning as it does, reasoning based on inconclusive evidence, conjecture or supposition, is not helpful. As has been stated previously in my answer to S2W-22351, no specific, credible or reliable information has, to date, been brought to the attention of the police that the “extraordinary rendition” of any individual has been unlawfully facilitated through a Scottish airport. The police will carefully consider any information provided to them and will commence an investigation if there is specific information which justifies a criminal investigation.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 20 January 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Patricia Ferguson on 3 February 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21641 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006, whether this indicates that it shares the view of the International Olympics Committee that being a world city is a prerequisite to hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games and, if so, whether it considers that Atlanta, which hosted the 1996 games, is more of a “world city” than Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Answer
The consideration of whether Atlanta was a “world city” was a matter for the International Olympic Committee.
The Scottish Executive is aware that our major cities have world-class facilities capable of attracting premier cultural and sporting events. EventScotland works in partnership with a number of organisations to attract such events and this work is building on our reputation as a premier events destination.
The Scottish Executive currently has no plans to support an Olympic bid but would not rule out such a bid in the future. At present efforts are focused on bringing the Commonwealth Games to Scotland in 2014.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 20 January 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Patricia Ferguson on 3 February 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21641 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006 and if this answer indicates that it accepts the opinion of the International Olympics Committee that London’s infrastructure and transport and travel links are such that it is the only city in the United Kingdom capable of staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games, why in its opinion additional outlay on infrastructure, transport and travel links is being made in preparation for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Answer
Following the unsuccessful Olympic Games and Paralympic Games bids from Manchester and Birmingham, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave clear guidance to the British Olympic Association (BOA) that London would stand the best chance of winning a future UK bid. Whilst London was seen to be the best placed candidate city to host the 2012 Olympic Games it was recognised that improvements to London’s infrastructure and travel links were still needed to cope with the influx of athletes and visitors caused by the games. The majority of these improvements were already planned, irrespective of the 2012 Games and reflected the London bid team’s realistic and achievable plans in their efforts to host the best games ever.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 16 January 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 3 February 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21666 by Tavish Scott on 22 December 2005, whether the police have any responsibility for adherence to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation in Scotland.
Answer
The provisions of the Chicago Convention are applied by the United Kingdom through the Civil Aviation Act 1982 and the Air Navigation Order 2005. Apparent breaches of the law may be investigated by the police. The convention does not prevent investigation of aircraft by the police, immigration or customs services, should they consider it necessary.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 16 January 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 3 February 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive when it hopes to appoint a Chair, Director and Board of the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service.
Answer
This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. A Chair has now been identified and an announcement will be made shortly. Second stage interviews for the Director are scheduled for early February. In the meantime the SMAS team now operating within Scottish Enterprise will continue to report to Terry Currie, Director, Growing Business, as announced in November. The remainder of the advisory board will be appointed shortly after the chair and director.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 January 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Patricia Ferguson on 2 February 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21643 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006, how the Scottish Steering Group for London 2012 will be equipped to monitor the potential beneficial effects on the Scottish economy of London hosting the Olympic Games in 2012.
Answer
The Scottish Steering Group for London 2012 has members from Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and CBI Scotland. These organisations have significant contact with the Scottish business community and are well placed to ensure that Scottish businesses are aware of all opportunities created by London 2012 and monitor the benefits occasioned by this.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 19 January 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 2 February 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21668 by Cathy Jamieson on 18 January 2006, whether this answer indicates that it would view any plane carrying suspected terrorists to countries where the practice of torture is used for the purposes of investigation as a civil aircraft.
Answer
The allegations which have been made relate to civil aircraft. Therefore, the Scottish Executive referred to the Chicago Convention on Civil Aviation in its reply of 18 January to question S2W-21668.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 19 January 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 2 February 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive how many times it has been contacted with information regarding the existence of rendition flights by US agencies landing at Scottish airports to refuel, either en route to their destination or returning from it, and by whom this information has been provided.
Answer
The Scottish Executive has received a number of communications expressing concern that flights using Scottish airports may have involved unlawful activity. Ministers have consistently made it clear to these correspondents that if anyone has any credible and reliable information regarding alleged criminal activity it should be passed to the police.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 20 January 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 2 February 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the dossier detailing evidence of rendition flights from the United States landing at various Scottish airports that was sent to the First Minister by Angus Robertson MP, as reported in The Herald on 18 January 2006.
Answer
The Scottish Executive has received the document sent to the First Minister and a reply will be issued.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 20 January 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Patricia Ferguson on 2 February 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21641 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006, whether this answer indicates that it accepts the opinion of the International Olympics Committee that London’s infrastructure and transport and travel links are such that it is the only city in the United Kingdom capable of staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games and, if not, whether it would rule out the possibility of a future bid from Glasgow for such events, given that Strathclyde has the largest suburban rail network in the UK outwith London and well-developed transport and travel links.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is aware that our major cities have world-class facilities capable of attracting premier cultural and sporting events. EventScotland works in partnership with a number of organisations to attract such events and this work is building on our reputation as a premier events destination.
The Scottish Executive currently has no plans to support a Glasgow Olympic bid but would not rule out such a bid in the future. At present efforts are focused on bringing the Commonwealth Games to Scotland in 2014.
