- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 June 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 21 July 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding the application of the fifth and sixth freedoms for air freight to Scottish airports.
Answer
International aviation agreements are a matter reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Executive is however interested in any extension of air transport liberalisation, which has potential benefits for the Scottish economy, and we will promote Scotland's case at any suitable opportunity. Sixth freedoms are not recognised by international aviation conventions and we have no plans to make representations on their application to Scottish airports.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 24 June 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 21 July 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make an assessment of the impact on the Scottish economy of the proposed Climate Change Levy.
Answer
I am aware that concerns have been expressed about the impact of the proposed Climate Change Levy on particular areas and industries. I do intend to keep the matter under close review.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 June 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 20 July 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be a Concordat with Her Majesty's Government covering Housing Benefits and other Social Security matters and, if so, when the draft concordat will be published and submitted to the Parliament.
Answer
Draft concordats have yet to be received from the UK Government. Once they have been considered by the Executive and agreed with the UK Government, they will be presented to the Scottish Parliament for its endorsement before they come into effect.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 June 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 19 July 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, it will seek representation on the Bates Committee, Her Majesty's Treasury Task Force on the future of Public Finance Initiatives and Public Private Partnerships.
Answer
Sir Malcolm Bates was asked to carry out his review by HM Treasury. There was no formal committee on which the Executive could be represented. Sir Malcolm has now submitted his report to HM Treasury for consideration. Officials in the Scottish Executive Private Finance Unit maintain close contact with HM Treasury and will continue to do so.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 June 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 19 July 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it intends to take to tackle the problem of food poverty in Scotland.
Answer
Eradicating food poverty is an important element of our strategy to reduce health inequalities in Scotland. We currently fund the Scottish Community Diet Project to the tune of around £200K per annum. The Project works very closely with deprived communities, both urban and rural, and has funded 23 local initiatives to date. In addition, one of our Social Inclusion action teams is assessing the role of food and health initiatives in combating poverty at local level. It is expected to report by the end of September.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 June 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 19 July 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the estimated cost of upgrading the A77 road to dual carriageway status between the Whitletts roundabout in Ayr and the junction between the A77 and A713.
Answer
No estimate has been made of the cost of upgrading the A77 to dual carriageway between Whitletts roundabout and the junction between the A77 and A713.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 June 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 19 July 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered the benefits of bringing the funding for all post 16 education and training within one funding body, incorporating the relevant budgets of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Higher and Further Education Funding Councils, the New Deal programmes and the European Social Fund matching funds.
Answer
The importance of bringing together responsibility for post-school education and training is fully recognised by the creation of a single Department within the Executive, the Enterprise and Lifelong learning Department. This Department will, in particular, have oversight for the policy, guidance and funding of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Higher and Further Education Funding Councils and for the delivery of the New Deal in Scotland.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 June 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 19 July 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive if it intends to review the scope and availability of concessionary travel for elderly and retired people.
Answer
At present, under the existing legislation - section 93 of the Transport Act 1985 - decisions on the extent and administration of concessionary travel schemes for certain categories of person, including pensioners, are solely for local authorities taking account of local needs and circumstances. However, as stated in Partnership for Scotland: An Agreement for the First Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Executive will encourage the improvement and integration of concessionary fare schemes on public transport for pensioners and those with special needs.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 June 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 19 July 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to seek representation on the UK, Oil and Gas Industry Task Force.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is represented on the Task Force.
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 June 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 14 July 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish details of the expenditure on and number of people covered by all post 16 education and training programmes in Scotland funded by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Higher and Further Education Funding Councils and the European Social Fund for the last financial year.
Answer
For the financial year 1998/99, financial allocations to the following bodies for post 16 education and training, and the number of places covered, were as follows:
£m Numbers
Further Education Institutions 288 1 411,408 2
Scottish Higher Education Funding Council 431 1 118,700 3
Scottish Enterprise 136 4 45,534 5
Highlands and Islands Enterprise 11 4 3,320 5
Notes:1
Figures exclude tuition fee income.2
The latest figure is for 1997/98 and covers all FE student enrolments. A student enrolled on more than one FE course is counted for each course. 84% of FEI enrolments are part time. FE enrolments include a number of students aged 16.
3
The SHEFC figure covers the main teaching grant allocated to Institutions, but not research and relates to full time equivalent places funded. 47% of HEI enrolments are part time. 4
Figures exclude ESF funds.
5 Average numbers in training at end year.
