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: S4W-10836

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 November 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 9 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government how the rail network is funded.

The rail network is managed by Network Rail. For financial planning purposes Network Rail works within five-year 'Control Periods' each one beginning on 1 April and ending on 31 March to coincide with the financial year. The next control period starts on 1 April 2014 and under current UK railways’ legislation, the Scottish Ministers are responsible for funding the rail network in Scotland. The responsibility for conducting a periodic review of Network Rail’s revenue requirements and regulatory outputs lies with the Office of Rail Regulation.

The rail infrastructure budget supports the costs of Network Rail maintenance and safe operation of the Scottish rail network and investment in infrastructure enhancement and is payable directly to Network Rail. The rail franchise budget includes funds which are paid by the franchisee to Network Rail to fund track access charges.

Question reference: S4W-10840

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 November 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 8 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government how many staff are employed by Network Rail to deal with the rail network in Scotland.

Question reference: S4W-10838

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 November 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 8 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government what input it has into the tendering of cross-border rail services.

Cross border passenger rail services are specified by the Department for Transport.

The Scottish Government currently provides ‘non-binding’ advice to the Department on its expectation of the level of service provision specified for cross border rail franchises.

There is no legal or contractual relationship with either the Department or train operating companies in this regard.

Earlier this year I agreed with UK Ministers a closer role for the Scottish Government in the specification of the forthcoming InterCity East Coast franchise, and a role assisting in the evaluation of bids for this franchise as they affect Scottish services.

However, the terms of this arrangement are yet to be put in place by the Department, and it is unclear whether the timescale for this refranchising will be delayed following cancellation of the InterCity West Coast franchise procurement.

Question reference: S4W-10839

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 November 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 8 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government how many Network Rail staff are based in Scotland.

Question reference: S4O-01428

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve recycling rates.

Question reference: S4W-10615

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 26 October 2012
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Keith Brown on 29 October 2012

To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated cost is of the combined Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and A90 Balmedie to Tipperty project.

The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) is vital for jobs, the economy and improving the transport infrastructure of Aberdeen and the north east. Over the next three decades, the project is expected to bring in an additional £6 billion to the north east economy and create around 14,000 new jobs.

The unwanted delays caused by the protracted public local inquiry and legal challenges have resulted in a substantial increase in the overall cost of the project.

In 2008 the AWPR scheme was costed at £347 million at 2003 prices.

The revised cost of the AWPR following scope changes, the inclusion of standard risk costs and rebasing to 2012 prices totals £653 million.

Cost increases due to inflation total £230 million.

The estimated total cost of the combined AWPR and Balmedie to Tipperty project is £745 million at 2012 prices (excluding VAT) and is made up of a total scheme cost estimate of £653 million for the AWPR and £92 million for Balmedie to Tipperty.

The Scottish Government is meeting 81% of the costs of the Northern and Southern Leg elements of the AWPR with Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils contributing 9.5% each. The cost of the Fastlink section of the AWPR and the Balmedie to Tipperty project will be met entirely by the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government and Transport Scotland have a strong record of delivering transport projects on time and on budget. This has included the successful delivery of the M80 Stepps to Haggs, the M74 Completion, the Clackmannanshire Bridge and the A96 Fochabers and Mosstodloch Bypass. Transport Scotland are committed to maintaining this record in delivering the AWPR and Balmedie to Tipperty project.

The AWPR and Balmedie to Tipperty project form a core part of our commitment to improving transport in the north east along with a new Inveramsay Bridge on the A96, improvements to the Haudagain roundabout and proposals to dual the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness by 2030, which along with the action currently being taken to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness will ensure that all Scotland’s cities are connected with a high-quality transport system that will generate economic growth.

Question reference: S4W-09824

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 25 October 2012

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) total value is and (b) cash balances are of local authority common good funds.

Question reference: S4O-01423

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 November 2012

To ask the Scottish Government what obligations Scottish Water has to deal with persistent flooding from its sewerage network.

Question reference: S4O-01372

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 October 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 October 2012

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it carries out of literacy initiatives such as the Reading Bus in Aberdeen.

Question reference: S4W-09766

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 21 September 2012
Current Status: Answered by Margaret Burgess on 5 October 2012

To ask the Scottish Government how many people live in supported accommodation.

The information requested is not held centrally. We have been consulting with stakeholders on the information needed to assess the impact of possible changes in housing benefit for those in supported accommodation. Following these discussions we are now planning to gather comprehensive information from councils and service providers on the current provision of supported accommodation and the characteristics and needs of those being supported.