Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S1W-00795

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 August 1999
Current Status: Answered by Henry McLeish on 13 August 1999

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Tourist Board will make use of the coverage of the Parliament, and in particular the opening ceremony, as a means of promoting Scotland.

Question reference: S1W-00531

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 July 1999
Current Status: Answered by Henry McLeish on 12 August 1999

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding the impact on Scottish Postal services of the possible sale of the Post Office and, if so, what representations it will make.

Question reference: S1W-00206

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 June 1999
Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 11 August 1999

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an estimate of the financial contribution the West Highland Way makes to the Scottish economy each year and the cost of necessary repairs to it.

Question reference: S1W-00329

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 June 1999
Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 11 August 1999

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make available copies of any correspondence it has had with the Chairman of the North of Scotland Water Authority regarding the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC).

Question reference: S1W-00328

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 June 1999
Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 11 August 1999

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to seek information from Her Majesty's Government about any correspondence between Her Majesty's Government and the Chairman of the North of Scotland Water Authority regarding the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) and, if so, whether it will make details of this correspondence available.

Question reference: S1W-00350

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 June 1999
Current Status: Answered by Rhona Brankin on 10 August 1999

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to honour the memory of Thomas Muir.

Question reference: S1W-00204

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 June 1999
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Morrison on 6 August 1999

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to appoint a Gaelic Officer to promote the development of the Gaelic language and to be responsible for liaison with interested organisations and co-ordination of Gaelic issues within the Scottish Administration.

Question reference: S1W-00710

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 26 July 1999
Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 6 August 1999

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the names of all those who applied for the position of chairman of Caledonian MacBrayne, the names of those selected for interview and the criteria against which the candidates interviewed were judged.

The advertisement for the post of Chairman to Caledonian MacBrayne Limited stated that all applications would be treated strictly in confidence. It would therefore, be a breach of that confidence to name the applicants who applied for this appointment. I can however, advise that forty one applications were received and five candidates were interviewed. The criteria were decided at the outset and included:

analytical and strategic skills;

effective presentational communication and negotiating skills;

ability to provide direction;

strong leadership;

inspiration and motivation for the CalMac Board and staff;

excellent chairmanship ability;

broad knowledge of Highlands and Islands issues;

knowledge of passenger ferry services;

knowledge of NDPBs/Nationalised Industries and the Public Policy Framework; broad knowledge of transport issues;

proven experience at board level in the areas of commerce, finance or shipping; and

qualifications and/or experience in relevant subjects and issues (eg commerce, finance or shipping/transport). All candidates were advised of and assessed against these criteria.

Question reference: S1W-00711

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 26 July 1999
Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 5 August 1999

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will oppose any calls for the privatisation of Caledonian MacBrayne.

Question reference: S1W-00260

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 25 June 1999
Current Status: Answered by Iain Gray on 30 July 1999

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the current law and practice in relation to the means assessment of residents in residential and care homes.