- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 September 2016
-
Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 4 October 2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether, in light of the proposed merger between British Transport Police (BTP) and Police Scotland, the number of BTP officers will counted towards its pledge to maintain officer numbers above 17,234.
Answer
BTP officers are not currently included in the figures giving the number of full-time equivalent officers in Scotland. Following the merger between BTP and Police Scotland any comparison of officer numbers in Scotland with the position prior to the merger would need to take account of this.
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 September 2016
-
Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 4 October 2016
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02448 by Humza Yousaf on 20 September 2016, what the costs of the improvements were at (a) Lockerbie, (b) Gretna Green, (c) Annan, (d) Sanquhar and (e) Kirkconnel railway station, and the time periods in which the work took place.
Answer
The improvements made were funded from various budgets in the previous and current ScotRail franchise, along with funding from the Department for Transport's Access for All fund. The time period for the works range from 2007 until 2016, with the recent investment being the installation of CCTV cameras at Sanquhar and Kirkconnel stations from the £78k franchise commitment to install CCTV camera at stations across the rail network by March 2016. The actual cost of each station improvement is not known as this is a commercial matter between the franchisee and their contractor.
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 September 2016
-
Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 4 October 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to strengthen whistleblowing provision in Police Scotland.
Answer
Whistleblowing policies for Police Scotland are a matter for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority.
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 September 2016
-
Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 30 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider establishing new enterprise zones as part of its Enterprise and Skills review to include towns that have seen a decline in the textiles industry.
Answer
As indicated in response to S5O-00145 and S5O-00146 on 15 September 2016 the Enterprise and Skills Review will be taken forward through a phased approach, with phase one reporting shortly on key recommendations for change across a number of areas while phase two will explore the implementation of these recommendations in more detail with partners. Phase two will include exploring the regional dimension in greater depth, with Ministers clear that any long-term approach must take account of the needs of the South of Scotland and all areas across Scotland.
It is important to think about Enterprise Areas (enterprise zones is the term used in England and Wales) in the context of the wider economic development support available.
In the South of Scotland for example, where textiles is an important traditional industry, we have confirmed that part of the £10 million economic stimulus package announced in this year's Programme for Government will be used to support delivery of the Hawick Action Plan to revitalise the town. Scottish Enterprise are also working to create the conditions for business growth in the area including through account managing 72 companies across the Borders.
The answer to S5O-00145 is available on the parliaments website, the Official report can be viewed at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10520
The answer to S5O-00146 is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:
http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 September 2016
-
Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government when the A76 between Sanquhar and Thornhill was last open as a two-lane highway without the use of temporary traffic lights.
Answer
This section of the A76 was last open without temporary traffic lights in mid-September 2014 following landslides. The traffic lights at Auchensell Pool and Enterkinfoot are necessary to maintain the integrity of the road embankments, whilst construction solutions are developed. The remedial works at Auchensell Pool are expected to be delivered before the end of 2016. The solution at Enterkinfoot is more complex and will take longer as ground investigation and geotechnical design has to be completed. Every effort is being made to accelerate this process and we will continue to ensure those affected by the traffic lights are kept aware of progress. This includes through the South West Unit Landslide Action Plan page on Transport Scotland’s website: (http://www.transport.gov.scot/road/maintenance/south-west-unit-landslide-action-plan)
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 16 September 2016
-
Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what investment it has made in the (a) A75, (b) A7 and (c) A701 in each year since 2007.
Answer
The following table contains the total expenditure each year for each trunk road. This figure includes maintenance and major infrastructure project costs (including land, site supervision, utilities, site investigation and construction costs). Higher annual spend levels represent increased investment associated with the delivery of targeted major infrastructure improvements.
|
trunk road investment since 2007-08 (£ millions)
|
|
|
2007-08
|
2008-09
|
2009-10
|
2010-11
|
2011-12
|
2012-13
|
2013-14
|
2014-15
|
2015-16
|
|
A75 (158 km)*
|
14.881
|
6.458
|
8.363
|
10.868
|
5.354
|
11.955
|
36.863
|
14.001
|
7.306
|
|
A7 (75 km)*
|
3.978
|
5.519
|
4.61
|
2.364
|
2.322
|
2.578
|
3.05
|
2.777
|
2.458
|
|
A701 (30 km)*
|
0.679
|
0.923
|
0.727
|
1.121
|
0.854
|
1.103
|
1.259
|
1.597
|
2.411
|
*approx. distances
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 September 2016
-
Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 29 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for establishing a South of Scotland Enterprise Zone.
Answer
The Scottish Government's core purpose is to deliver sustainable economic growth with opportunities for all to flourish.
Enterprise Areas (enterprise zones is the term used in England and Wales) are specifically targeted on sites and sectors where there are clear opportunities ready to be developed, and where companies can be anchored in areas and supply chains developed that support growth and jobs in the wider area.
The mid-term evaluation of Scotland’s Enterprise Areas, published by HIE on 21 March 2016, demonstrated that Enterprise Area incentives complement wider support delivered as a part of our work to foster inclusive growth throughout the Scottish economy. We are currently reflecting on the future direction of the Enterprise Area policy in Scotland and how it relates to the broader economic development support landscape. The merits and evidence for establishing additional Enterprise Areas will considered on an individual case basis.
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 September 2016
-
Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made regarding the potential economic impact that road works on the A76 are having on communities in Upper Nithsdale.
Answer
No specific economic impact assessment has been undertaken. However, daily monitoring of the traffic light operation is undertaken to help ensure that any delays to road users are minimised. We continue to engage with local stakeholders such as the local authority and community groups to ensure good communication and to address any concerns.
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 16 September 2016
-
Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government how it works with the relevant local authorities to ensure the viability of the (a) A701, (b) A7 and (c) A76.
Answer
The Scottish Government through Transport Scotland and its Operating Companies, Amey and Scotland Transerv, formally meet with representatives from Dumfries and Galloway Council, Scottish Borders Council and East Ayrshire Council on a regular basis. The purpose of these meetings is to share knowledge, problems and discuss forward programmes of work to ensure effective co-ordination and minimise potential disruption to road users and local businesses. Notwithstanding this, any urgent issues can be raised by either party between these meetings for discussion and immediate action. The Minister for Transport and the Islands also engages with local authorities and campaign groups. For example, he met with the A7 Action Group on 15 June 2016 when the group presented their A7 Action Plan and he met local politicians and stakeholders at the Dumfries and Galloway Transport Summit held in Dumfries on 22 August 2016 where he and the Deputy First Minister took part in a discussion about the role of transport and associated infrastructure to support the economy and communities in Dumfries and Galloway.
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 September 2016
-
Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 6 October 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to angling clubs and the rural economy following recent changes to the regulation of wild salmon fishing.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 6 October 2016
