- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 29 May 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 10 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether BEAR Scotland Ltd has complied with the necessary specifications contained in its contract with the Executive in relation to ground maintenance of trunk roads.
Answer
The independent Performance Audit Group has confirmed that BEAR Scotland Ltd has complied with the specifications for ground maintenance.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 29 May 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 10 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet the Scallop Association to discuss current issues of concern to the scallop industry, including amnesic shellfish poisoning and technical measures designed to promote conservation.
Answer
My officials, and officials of the Food Standards Agency Scotland, meet regularly with representatives of the Scallop Association to discuss issues of concern to the scallop industry. Most recently, officials met with the Scallop Association on 27 May in Aberdeen, and a further meeting is scheduled for 25 June.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 29 May 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 10 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the standard of ground maintenance of the trunk road network in the Highland Council area complies with the Executive's contract with BEAR Scotland Ltd.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-503 today. 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/search_wa.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 May 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 6 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet representatives of the Highland Council to discuss the proposed final route of the Sustrans cycle network link between Newtonmore and Kingussie.
Answer
The trunk road cycling officer is meeting representatives of Highland Council on 10 June 2003. Highland Council's proposals for the route of this National Cycle Network link through Kingussie will be discussed as part of the agenda.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 19 May 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Malcolm Chisholm on 4 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what conclusions it has reached as a result of its consultation on Towards Better Oral Health in Children and whether it is minded to add fluoride to the public water supply.
Answer
An independent analysis of the 1,400 written responses to the consultation on Towards Better Oral Health in Children is currently in train. The analysis, which will be published when completed, will inform our consideration of the measures needed to improve the oral health of children in Scotland.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 May 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by George Reid on 3 June 2003
To ask the Presiding Officer, further to the answer to question S1W-8962 by Sir David Steel on 21 August 2000, whether the works package in respect of "MSP Cladding" included the windows contract.
Answer
Yes.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 May 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Andy Kerr on 3 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what powers of direction it has in relation to non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs); what its policy is on the use of such powers, and how it will ensure that all NDPBs operate and make decisions in an accountable and responsive manner.
Answer
Powers of direction vary from body to body. They are usually contained in each body's establishing legislation or other founding framework documentation. Powers may also be contained in legislation relevant to a body's functions or areas of responsibility.NDPBs vary greatly in size and nature of their operations. It is important that the scope and use of powers of direction reflect that variety. The decision to make use of such powers therefore lies with individual ministers, assessing the circumstances on a case-by-case basis.The report
Public Bodies: Proposals for Change contained detailed recommendations for improving the Accountability and Governance of NDPBs. It emphasised an approach based on "multiple accountability". This makes clear that NDPBs have a duty to continuously improve and strengthen their links to stakeholders, users and customers and the general public, as well as to be accountable to ministers and the Parliament. A copy of the report is available at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/government/pbreview.pdf.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 May 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 3 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) to cease moving any further staff to Edinburgh in advance of the Parliament having an opportunity to debate the future of the college, given the position of the college management that no decision will be taken without the Parliament having considered the issue, and whether it will intervene to prevent any further action being taken that would have the effect of implementing any decision by the college management in respect of this matter.
Answer
The current position is that SAC is addressing concerns that have been raised by me and others about its proposals for rationalisation. It will be submitting revised proposals to the Executive. No decision has been taken on a preferred option. Against that background I do not expect SAC to take any action that would pre-empt or prejudice the final outcome of its strategic review.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 May 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Frank McAveety on 3 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will urge sportscotland to approve the application for financial assistance in connection with the Morar playing field; what its position is on whether the decision by sportscotland on this application could have been made before the Parliament was dissolved and on the written statement made by sportscotland to applicants on this issue, and whether it will make representations to sportscotland to ensure that financial assistance is provided for the Lovat Memorial Games field at Morar.
Answer
The consideration and determination of individual lottery applications are matters for sportscotland. The role of ministers relates to the setting of strategic priorities and making Policy and Financial Directions.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 May 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Hugh Henry on 3 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to HM Inspector of Fire Services and the Health and Safety Executive in relation to proposals to close 42 fire auxiliary units in the Highland Council area
Answer
None - Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services in Scotland provides professional advice to Scottish ministers.
