- Asked by: Adam Ingram, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 17 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 25 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the powers under the British Railways (No. 3) Order Confirmation Act 1994 can and will be transferred to Strathclyde Passenger Transport.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-22010.
- Asked by: Adam Ingram, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 17 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 25 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what the proposed date is for work to start on the Larkhall to Milngavie rail link and when it will become operational.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is keen to see the Larkhall-Milngavie project taken forward. That is why we have continued to support Strathclyde Passenger Transport, following Railtrack's announcement that it was withdrawing its support last December, to try and identify practical ways to keep this scheme moving forward.There are a number of complex technical and legal matters to consider before work can start on the rail link. We are continuing to press both Railtrack and the Strategic Rail Authority to take this project forward. The outcome of the various discussions will determine the way that the project will be managed and a possible timetable for delivering the rail link.The provisions of the British Railways (No. 3) Order Confirmation Act 1994 remain in force until amended or repealed.
- Asked by: Adam Ingram, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 17 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 25 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what effect Railtrack pulling out of the Larkhall to Milngavie rail link will have on the competency of the British Railways (No. 3) Order Confirmation Act 1994.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-22010.
- Asked by: Adam Ingram, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 February 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Andy Kerr on 22 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the current guidance to local authorities on Public/Private Partnerships and Private Finance Initiatives and what plans it has to revise this guidance.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-4565 on 31 January 2002.
- Asked by: Adam Ingram, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 February 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 22 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Director of Education at South Ayrshire Council regarding any proposed Public/Private Partnership initiative for schools in the area.
Answer
None.
- Asked by: Adam Ingram, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 February 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 22 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria is applied in the consideration of a school closure and what bearing does a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education have.
Answer
In consulting with parents and school boards on school closure proposals, and subsequently reaching decisions, education authorities would be expected to take account of educational, financial and community issues and other relevant considerations. Whether or not an inspection report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education would have any bearing on an authority's consideration of a school closure proposal would be a matter for the authority.
- Asked by: Adam Ingram, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 February 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 19 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive how many pits were dug at Lochmaben in Dumfriesshire in order to dispose of ash derived from pyres of foot-and-mouth disease-infected carcasses; how much it cost to dig and maintain each such pit, and how many such pits were used for this purpose.
Answer
No pits were constructed for the disposal of ash. All pits excavated at Birkshaw Forest, near Lochmaben, were for the disposal of carcasses arising from the slaughter of animals on premises not infected with Foot and Mouth Disease.
- Asked by: Adam Ingram, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 February 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 19 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive why ash derived from pyres of foot-and-mouth disease-infected carcasses at Lochmaben in Dumfriesshire was transported to Garlaff in East Ayrshire for disposal, given, as reported in the Sunday Mail on 3 February 2002, the provision of pits for this purpose at Lochmaben.
Answer
The pits at Birkshaw Forest were not constructed for the disposal of ash, only the disposal of animal carcasses. The ash, from animals which were not infected, was classified by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency as controlled waste and, as such, must be disposed of in a lined engineered landfill site licensed to take such material. Birkshaw was not licensed for this purpose, unlike the Garlaff site.
- Asked by: Adam Ingram, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 December 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 18 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority or from the local authorities represented on it regarding funding and what responses it has given in each case.
Answer
SPT have welcomed the Executive's decisions to increase capital allocations by 43% for the three years to 31 March 2004, to support through grant and borrowing consent the £23 million Larkhall to Milngavie rail projects and to provide £14 million from the 4th round of the Public Transport Fund to buy new, and refurbish existing, rolling stock. The Chair of the Authority and officials of the Executive have expressed concerns about the level of funding following re-organisation of local government in 1996. As to a response, I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20916 on 18 February 2002.
- Asked by: Adam Ingram, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 18 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to support the wider community in Larkhall in light of the forthcoming closure of DAKS Simpson.
Answer
This is an issue for South Lanarkshire Council in partnership with Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire. However, the Executive is providing funding of £16 million to deliver the Larkhall to Milngavie rail link, which includes a new station in Larkhall.
