- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 16 October 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 6 November 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8562 by Sarah Boyack on 22 August 2000, whether there are any European destinations in respect of which direct air links with Scotland would be particularly beneficial to the Scottish economy and, if so, why, and what action it will take to promote such links.
Answer
Direct air links between Scotland and European destinations can have benefits for the Scottish economy. Decisions on the development of new links are, however, for the commercial judgement of airlines as well as airport operators who assess the potential for new services. The Enterprise Networks and others with a relevant interest in the establishment of new links can also assist in determining the need and demand for such services.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 October 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 2 November 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support the slate industry.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer given to Lord James Douglas-Hamilton's question S1O-2345 on 2 November.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 October 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 2 November 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer or the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry about the Scottish oil industry and what specific issues were discussed.
Answer
Discussions with UK Ministers and Departments take place on a continuous basis across a wide range of issues, including the oil industry. One major forum for discussion of issues affecting the offshore oil and gas industry is Pilot, a Government/Oil Industry Task Force of which I am Vice-Chair. The most recent meeting of Pilot was on 4 October.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 October 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 30 October 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding any effect upon small businesses in Scotland of implementing and running stakeholder pension schemes.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of reserved issues, including stakeholder pension schemes. As a direct consequence of a Great Britain wide consultation, businesses with less than five employees were excluded from the scheme.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 06 October 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 30 October 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide assistance through grants or incentives to the acting profession.
Answer
The Scottish Arts Council provides a range of schemes to support theatrical activity throughout Scotland.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 06 October 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 30 October 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to regulate landing charges for cruise liners at Scottish ports.
Answer
Ports and harbour authorities in Scotland have a right to charge dues for ships, passengers and goods. Their general powers derive from the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847 and further controls in the Harbours Act 1964 (which include giving users a right of appeal to Ministers over the level of charges). These general powers have been supplemented in individual cases by provisions in local Acts or Orders under the Harbours Act 1964. The Executive has no plans to amend this system.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 05 October 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 30 October 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding tax incentives to maintain and encourage creative artists in Scotland.
Answer
Issues related to tax are a reserved matter.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 16 October 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 30 October 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance is given to Cruse Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Executive has awarded revenue grant funding of £28,097, under section 10(1) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, to Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland for each of the years 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 09 October 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 27 October 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people visited Scotland from Austria over the last five years, broken down by mode of travel to Scotland, and what contribution it estimates these visitors made to the Scottish economy.
Answer
Visitors from Austria to Scotland
| | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |
| Trips | 22,000 | 13,000 | 22,000 | 20,000 |
| Spend | £4 million | £6 million | £11 million | £11 million |
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 09 October 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 27 October 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support hoteliers and owners of guest houses who have substantial borrowing commitments and declining numbers of visitors.
Answer
The actions contained in the New Strategy for Scottish Tourism, published earlier this year, are designed to benefit all sectors of tourism throughout Scotland.
