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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Filter your results Hide all filters

Displaying 1095 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S2W-18450

Asked by: Mr David Davidson, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 15 August 2005
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 28 September 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the statement made by the UK Government in its response to the European Commission's Green Paper on Services of General Interest of May 2003, that the proposed model of splitting Caledonian MacBrayne into an infrastructure-owning company and an operating company creates "an artificial barrier" that "distances the development of the fleet from its operation".

The UK Government’s response reflected the Scottish Executive’s position at that time in relation to the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services. Given the constraints that European law imposes, this does not detract from the Executive view that the best way to tender the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services is through the establishment of a publicly-owned vessel and harbour owning company. This will ensure that the assets are retained in public ownership and made available on a long-term basis to the operator of the services.

Question reference: S2W-19048

Asked by: Mr David Davidson, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 September 2005
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 22 September 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the National Transport Agency's budget, excluding the budget for major infrastructure, will be spent on operating rail services.

In 2006-07, £264.8 million of the National Transport Agency’s Budget will be spent on operating rail services. The agency’s total budget for 2006-07 will be increased to include sums to reflect the transfer from the Department of Transport of the responsibility for funding Network Rail in Scotland, and agency running costs. The final budget has still to be determined and will be published in due course.

Question reference: S2W-18592

Asked by: Mr David Davidson, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 August 2005
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 22 September 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive how many new staff will be employed by the National Transport Agency in addition to those transferred from the Transport Group of the Executive's Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department.

It is expected that there will be around 200 staff in the agency. Most of these will transfer from the transport group, however, there will be a number of new posts, largely resulting from an increased management role in the public transport major projects and additional responsibilities devolved to Scottish ministers through the UK Railways Act. However, the total number of new staff cannot be estimated at this stage until the number of staff transferring is known.

Question reference: S2W-18591

Asked by: Mr David Davidson, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 August 2005
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 22 September 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff from the Transport Group of its Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department will be transferred to the National Transport Agency.

Question reference: S2W-18590

Asked by: Mr David Davidson, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 August 2005
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 22 September 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff are employed in the Transport Group of its Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department.

Question reference: S2W-18595

Asked by: Mr David Davidson, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 August 2005
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 September 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to upgrade the A8 to motorway standard between the A73 and M73.

Question reference: S2W-18594

Asked by: Mr David Davidson, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 August 2005
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 15 September 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to build a second road crossing over the Forth at South Queensferry.

Question reference: S2W-18500

Asked by: Mr David Davidson, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 August 2005
Current Status: Answered by George Lyon on 9 September 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a deferred payment scheme in respect of council tax for pensioners.

There are no plans to introduce a deferred payment scheme in respect of council tax for pensioners.

If any individual is experiencing difficulties in paying their council tax charge they should discuss making alternative payment arrangements with their local council. Councils have the discretion to extend payment periods over a 12 month period rather than the standard 10. For those on lower incomes, a comprehensive council tax benefit system is available.

Question reference: S2W-18763

Asked by: Mr David Davidson, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 29 August 2005
Current Status: Answered by George Lyon on 9 September 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase the single discount for council taxpayers to 50% and, if so, how this will be funded and what effect it will have on other discounts and exemptions.

Question reference: S2W-18593

Asked by: Mr David Davidson, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 August 2005
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 8 September 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine rail line will be completed.