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.

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Question reference: S1W-10192

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 October 2000
Current Status: Answered by Henry McLeish on 17 October 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it uses for the creation of an enterprise 'one.

Question reference: S1W-10193

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 October 2000
Current Status: Answered by Henry McLeish on 17 October 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive how many enterprise 'ones there are, when they were created and why they were selected.

Question reference: S1W-10189

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 October 2000
Current Status: Answered by Henry McLeish on 17 October 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Cabinet Office regarding ongoing research projects in devolved areas controlled by research councils which are reserved.

Question reference: S1W-10191

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 October 2000
Current Status: Answered by Henry McLeish on 17 October 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to promote Prestwick Airport as an Enterprise Zone.

Question reference: S1W-10188

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 October 2000
Current Status: Answered by Henry McLeish on 17 October 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive what science, engineering and other research bodies are accountable to it; what powers of direction, guidance and instruction are available to it in relation to each; what current programmes or studies are ongoing at the behest of those bodies, and what level of funding has been made available by the Executive to each body.

The Scottish Executive commissions a programme of research in agricultural, biological and related sciences from the five Scottish Agricultural and Biological Research Institutes, the Scottish Agricultural College and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The organisations are all funded by grant-in-aid and are accountable to the Scottish Executive and to Parliament for this funding through the Chief Executives who are accountable officers. Controls over the organisations are described in Management Statements and Financial Memoranda (in the case of SAC a Memorandum of Understanding). In addition, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is governed by the provisions of the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985 which includes powers for Scottish Ministers to appoint Trustees to the Board and to require the board to provide such information relating to the discharge of their functions as Ministers may require. The table below sets out a brief description of the current programmes of each organisation and of the Scottish Executive's recurrent funding in 2000-01.

Organisation	Programme	Recurrent funding in 2000-01 £k
Hannah Research Institute	Generation of new knowledge in biological science and technology relevant to harnessing lactation for nutritional and economic benefit and to the quality of food products.	2,922
Macaulay Land Use Research Institute	Undertakes research in the context of rural land use and resource management. Assessment of the environmental, economic and social impacts of agriculture and related land uses together with the consequences of change resulting from factors and influences such as policy, management, effects of climate and pollution.	5,992
Scottish Crop Research Institute	Undertakes a programme of research on agricultural, horticultural and industrial crops, their pests and diseases and on processes common to all plants to create and protect wealth and to improve the quality of life and the environment.	7,503
Rowett Research Institute	Conducts research on biochemical and physiological aspects of mammalian nutrition, with particular emphasis on the effects of diet on health and on the complex interplay between agriculture, food and health.	5,988
Moredun Research Institute	Conducts research on the biology of infectious diseases in sheep and other grazing animals that contribute to national wealth and are integral to sustainable agriculture.	3,719
Scottish Agricultural College	Research programme covers farming systems, environmentally clean technology, animal health, plant and crop science, crop health, soils and nutrient cycling, genetics and reproduction, nutrient supply, animal welfare and behaviour, and socio-economics. In addition SAC provides a programme of further and higher education and a range of Veterinary and advisory services.	17,986
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh	The study of whole plant and fungal science and plantsmanship, emphasising the diversity and systematic relationship of plants in order to understand their evolutionary mechanisms, environmental significance and conservation value. In addition the Garden conducts post-graduate education and programmes of public education and understanding of plant science, as well as providing public access and enjoyment.	4,868

The Fisheries Research Service (FRS) and the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency (SASA) are, as Executive Agencies, also accountable to the Scottish Executive. Their administrative arrangements are provided in Framework Documents, as for all SE Executive Agencies. Each is run by an Agency Chief Executive.

FRS aims to improve management of the living resources in the seas and inland waters of Scotland. FRS provides scientific and technical advice and information on fisheries, aquaculture and the aquatic environment. It undertakes statutory and regulatory responsibilities on behalf of SERAD, and it conducts a programme of scientific and technical activities, monitoring, surveillance and research. There is an Agency Strategy Board, chaired by the Fisheries Secretary of SERAD. Funding of FRS stands at £13.6 million for 2000-01.

SASA provides expert advice on agricultural crops, horticultural crops and aspects of the environment. It performs statutory and regulatory work in relation to national, European Community (EC) and other international legislation and agreements, on plant health, bee health, variety registration, crop improvement, genetic resources, the protection of crops, food and the environment. Funding of SASA stands at £6.9 million for 2000-01.

The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) is not a science or research body, but it is the Executive Agency responsible for the funding of Scotland's higher education institutions. In 2000-01 SHEFC support for research in the higher education sector totalled £133 million.

Question reference: S1W-10190

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 October 2000
Current Status: Answered by Henry McLeish on 17 October 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to promote a fuel voucher scheme for tourists.

Question reference: S1W-10187

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 October 2000
Current Status: Answered by Nicol Stephen on 17 October 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9312 by Nicol Stephen on 12 September 2000, who the industry and government members of the pilot task force are, how the members were appointed and by whom; how it is accountable to the Executive, and what powers of instruction, direction and guidance it has in relation to the task force.

The individuals from companies in the oil and gas sector, trade unions and Government departments who form Pilot were invited to be members by Helen Liddell, DTI Minister for Energy. The list of members is given below. Pilot is not accountable to the Scottish Executive, but the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning is Vice Chairman because of the continuing importance of a strong oil and gas industry to the Scottish economy.

PILOT Membership

Chairperson: Helen Liddell	Minister for Energy and Competitiveness, DTI
Vice Chairman: Henry McLeish	Minister for Enterprise & Lifelong Learning, Scottish Executive
Brian Wilson, MP	Minister of State, Scotland Office
Paul Blakeley	Director & General Manager, Talsiman
Malcolm Brinded	Managing Director, Shell UK Exploration and Production
Danny Carrigan	Scottish Reg. Sec, Amalgamated Engineering & Electrical Union
David Cassie	Managing Director, Coflexip Stena Offshore
Ian Craig	General Manager UK & Ireland, Enterprise Oil
Geoff Dart	Director, OG, DTI
Stephen Hampson	Head of Enterprise and Industrial Affairs, Scottish Executive
Dave Smith	President, Marathon Oil UK
Steve Marshall	Regional President, BP Amoco;
Mike Mannering	Managing Director UK, Schlumberger
James McCallum	President, Global Marine Integrated Services - Europe; Chairman, Stretch Performance Network
Dinah Nichols	Director General, Environmental Protection, DETR
Clive Norris	Director of Safety Policy, HSE
David Warren	Director, British Trade International
Sir Steve Robson	2nd Permanent Secretary, Treasury
Tom Smith	Chairman and Managing Director, Nessco Ltd, SME representative on OSO Board
Mike Straughen	Managing Director, AMEC Process & Energy
Anna Walker	Director General, Energy, DTI
Sir Ian Wood	Chairman and MD, John Wood Group plc; Chairman, Scottish Enterprise
Iain Todd	Director, Oil & Gas Industry Development, DTI
Secretary: Sarah Kydd	Deputy Director, Oil & Gas Industry Development, DTI

Question reference: S1W-09717

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 September 2000
Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 12 October 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to implement "Smart Measures" such as ramp metering, variable message signs and variable speed limits on the M8 such as currently used by the Highways Agency on the M25.

The "Smart Measures" that are in place on the M8 include the following:

Ramp Metering - the Scottish Executive has been at the forefront of the development of ramp metering in the UK and presently has a very successful site operating at junction 16 slip road on the M8 in Glasgow. A study is presently underway to consider in what situations further slip road sites would provide benefits to travellers. Further ramp metering will be introduced where benefits can be demonstrated.

Variable Message Signs - there are presently five fully functional variable message signs, 33 single line gantry mounted variable message signs and 162 lane control signal gantries on the M8. The coverage of the Scottish trunk road network continues to be increased year on year with new signs being erected at appropriate locations.

Both the existing ramp metering site and the various variable message signs are controlled and operated through the National Driver Information and Control System. This is one of the few national systems and has a capability which is among the most advanced anywhere in the world. Arrangements can be made for interested MSPs to visit the National Network Control Centre in Glasgow to see this leading edge system.

Variable Speed Limits - The Scottish Executive is committed to investigating the use of peak hour speed limits to control traffic speeds in congested areas. Where a value for money case can be made for the introduction of such measures at specific locations then each location shall be considered on its own merits.

Question reference: S1W-08997

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 August 2000
Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 5 October 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Office of Fair Trading regarding flight supplements charged on holidays from Scottish airports.

Question reference: S1W-09168

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 14 August 2000
Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 4 October 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has requested that the City of Edinburgh Rapid Transit scheme be implemented by a particular date, and if so, what this date was.

The original bid by the City of Edinburgh Council to the Transport Challenge Fund envisaged that the project would be operational by 2001. Subsequently, the council requested that the Transport Challenge Fund award should be re-phased to take account of delays in the project related to the preparation of a Parliamentary Order and the development of the Private Finance Initiative package. The department agreed to this request.