- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 02 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 22 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what instruction and guidance was given by it to the Strategic Rail Authority regarding the East Coast main line franchise, whether it will detail any representations made regarding the line north of Edinburgh, and when it will publish these.
Answer
Under the provisions made in the UK Transport Bill, introduced on 1 December 1999, the Scottish Ministers will be able to issue advice to the Strategic Rail Authority for day-time cross-border passenger rail services. Since the Bill has not completed its passage through Parliament at Westminister, the Scottish Ministers are not yet able to exercise these powers.
In advance of legislation, however, the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority has invited the Scottish Executive to submit advice as part of the franchise replacement negotiations for the East Coast Main Line. The Scottish Executive intends to publish this advice, which will be issued shortly.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 21 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to regulate port charges.
Answer
Ports and harbour charges are subject to controls in the Harbours Act and related legislation. These include powers for statutory ports and harbour authorities to levy charges, subject to a statutory right of objection, and related obligations to publish dues and to keep accounts.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 21 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken or plans to take, and what representations it has made or plans to make, regarding the regulation of ports and harbours.
Answer
Ports in Scotland are subject to a wide range of statutory and regulatory requirements covering both devolved and reserved responsibilities. The Executive is working with the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions on a wide ranging ports policy paper setting out how Government will work with the industry, its users and other interests to ensure that regulation adds value to the ports industry and that the overall demands are co-ordinated.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 21 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will create a port and harbours regulator or ombudsman, and what are the reasons for its decision on this matter.
Answer
The Executive has no plans to create a port and harbours regulator or ombudsman because the need for such a post has not been demonstrated.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 21 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review port investment.
Answer
Investment in ports is the responsibility of the individual port and harbour authority owner and operator involved.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 21 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive to detail the number of cruise ships docking in Scotland over the last five years on an annual basis and by port.
Answer
This information is not held centrally. Transport Statistics Report: Maritime Statistics provides a wide range of information on UK port traffic movements and it is available through The Stationery Office.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 21 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for ports and harbours in Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Executive plans to develop its devolved responsibilities for ports and harbours policy in Scotland within the integrated transport policy framework set out in the White Paper, Travel Choices for Scotland. The Executive plans to issue a ports "daughter document" to the White Paper which will set out detailed policies to enable Scottish ports and harbours to develop in the light of Scotland's transport and environmental circumstances.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 21 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it proposes to ensure that Granton Harbour in Edinburgh remains viable for fast ferry services following any redevelopment.
Answer
The redevelopment of Granton Harbour is primarily a matter for Forth Ports plc as the statutory harbour authority subject to the relevant planning requirements involved. It is also for the harbour authority and any potential ferry operator to consider the practicality and viability of any possible fast ferry services from the harbour.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 21 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive to detail port investment in Scotland, by port, over the last 10 years.
Answer
This information is not held centrally.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 12 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 21 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take to support offshore wind development, what funding has been provided for offshore wind development on an annual basis since 1997, and what steps it will take to regulate any charges to be levied by the Crown Estates Commission.
Answer
The Executive is currently consulting about an obligation on electricity suppliers to provide an additional 5% of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2010. However this obligation would not be technology specific.
In addition, we are encouraging Scottish companies to seize the opportunities which should arise from the development of renewable energy projects, including offshore wind. Developers of offshore wind projects can apply for research and development funding from the Department of Trade and Industry's budget for New and Renewable Energy. Such projects within UK waters require a licence from the Crown Estate Commissioners as owners of the sea-bed. The UK Government is working closely with the Commission to ensure that the potential for wind energy is realised.
