Chamber and committees

Ministers did notrequest that the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board notify its employees prior to the announcementto abolish tolls. When employees were formally informed is a matter for theboard.

The proposals to abolishthe tolls were well publicised and contained in this Government’s pre-election documentA New Approach: Our First Steps.

I refer the memberto the question S3W-2904 on 23 August 2007. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I understand thatthere were discussions between Argyll and Bute Council and Western Ferries and CalMacregarding the new linkspan at Dunoon. These discussions focussed on ensuring thateach operator’s vessels could be accommodated at the new linkspan.

As I stated in myanswer to question S3W-1864 on 17 July 2007, further scoping work is underway andthis will feed into the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR). The STPR willassess potential future investment options against the Government’s strategic objectivesand will be formally appraised in accordance with the Scottish Transport AppraisalGuidance process. The STPR is due to report in summer 2008.All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-2868 on 23 August 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-2868 on 23 August 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

The Scottish Executivecollects traffic data relating to the trunk road network for which it is responsiblethrough its agency Transport Scotland. The Executive does not hold centrally anytraffic flow information for the local road section of the A82 between Glasgow CityCouncil area boundary and the Erskine Bridge as this is the responsibility of West Dunbartonshire Council.

Argyll and Bute Councilwas responsible for the new breakwater and linkspan at Dunoon. Planning permissionfor the original breakwater scheme was granted through due process in consultationwith Scottish ministers. The linkspan was a late addition to the breakwater scheme.It is my understanding that the council took the view that the new linkspan was“permitted development”. Consequently, the council concluded that the addition of the new linkspan to the original breakwater scheme required neither separate planningpermission nor to be referred to Scottish ministers.

This Executive isaware of the value for money issues regarding previous tender exercises for theCampbeltown to Ballycastle ferry service. I understand that Accountable OfficerDirections were issued by previous Ministers to Executive officials in 2002 and2005 because of officials’ concerns over value for money issues emerging from theeconomic appraisals undertaken at that time. In re-examining the case for reinstatingthe service a future appraisal will include value for money issues. Until such timeas that appraisal has been completed it would be premature to speculate on whetherthere has been any change in circumstances.

It is my intentionto consult on our proposals for a fairer local tax before we introduce the necessarylegislation. That is why the legislation will not be introduced to Parliament until2008-09.