Chamber and committees

Network Rail is a private company. The Scottish Government already specifies and funds Network Rail’s operation, maintenance, renewal and enhancement of the rail infrastructure in Scotland. Last year we set out an ambitious programme of investment for Scotland’s railway infrastructure that Network Rail will deliver between 2014 and 2019 irrespective of the independence vote.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-16351 on 30 August 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Following a vote for independence, the Scottish Government will ensure that the necessary measures are in place for the organisation and regulation of the 2016 Scottish Parliamentary elections and subsequent elections in Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-16321 on 30 August 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-16354 on 30 August 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The Scottish Government publication Scotland’s Future: from the Referendum to Independence and a Written Constitution published in February 2013 sets out the Government’s position on parliamentary structures.

<>The Scottish Government will publish its detailed white paper with positive proposals on the opportunities and gains of independence in the autumn. Material on the referendum and the Scottish Government’s proposals for an independent Scotland can be found at: www.scotreferendum.com,

including published papers and speeches. This site will be regularly updated with additional material including the Scottish Government’s white paper in the run up to the referendum.

The Scottish Government would be delighted if the decision reached in November 2013 is for Dundee to become the UK City of Culture 2017, as we recognise the significant contribution Dundee makes to Scotland’s rich cultural life and economy. Such commitment and recognition should be honoured as part of the continuing cultural celebration and collaboration.

An independent Scotland would be represented overseas by a network which worked in the national interests of Scotland. In addition, Scottish Ministers would be open to the sharing of services and facilities with the rest of the UK or with other countries where there was mutual benefit to this. Such arrangements already exist between the UK and other nations, for example, Canada. At present taxes levied in Scotland are used to pay for the UK foreign and diplomatic service.

Under the existing model, the CAA’s costs are met by those who it regulates. The Scottish Government would see this as the basis for resourcing civil aviation regulation after independence.