- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 11 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 25 January 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive how many houses owned by housing associations have been demolished in the City of Edinburgh Council area in each year since 1997.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21800.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 11 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 25 January 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it would fund and support, in principle, a study into the viability of cross-estuary commuter ferries on the Firth of Forth, and whether it would urge other relevant non-departmental public bodies to support such a study.
Answer
The Scottish Executive part-funded an earlier study of fast ferry links across the Forth which showed that considerable public sector financial support would be required for such a venture.I expect the Forth Estuary Transportation Authority to take up its responsibilities on 1 April 2002. These responsibilities include the examination of and, if appropriate, funding of measures that would improve cross-Forth travel.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 11 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 25 January 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive (a) what representations it has made regarding on-going speed restrictions for rail freight in Scotland and (b) when, and to whom, any such representations were made.
Answer
The imposition of speed restrictions on the railway network is an operational matter for Railtrack. The Scottish Executive has no direct locus or powers to intervene.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 10 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 24 January 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to easyJet to encourage the company to commence an air passenger service between Inverness and Gatwick and whether it will make funding available for the marketing of such a service.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is awaiting a decision by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on the request for measures to protect access to Gatwick for an Inverness service. The Executive will not take any action to encourage another service to a London system airport (Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted) in advance of the UK Government's decision.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 07 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 22 January 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on rail infrastructure in each year since 1999.
Answer
Information on expenditure by the rail industry is not held centrally. However the Executive has made the following awards to date for rail infrastructure projects
| | 1999-2000 (£ million) | 2000-01( £ million) | 2001-02 (£ million) |
Freight Facilities Grant | 5.521 | 1.977 | 3.542 |
Public Transport Fund | 12.351 | 5.258 | 17.894 |
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 07 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 21 January 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether tourist journeys on the Royal Scotsman train are unable to stable at Ardlui; what the reasons are for the position on this matter, and what steps it will take in respect of this situation.
Answer
I understand that the Royal Scotsman train is unable to stable at Ardlui due to its length (207 m) and the space available (150m). This is a matter for Railtrack and the operators of the Royal Scotsman. The Scottish Executive has no direct locus or powers to intervene.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 24 December 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Mike Watson on 21 January 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the British Tourist Authority (BTA) regarding the marketing of tourism from a cultural perspective and what culture it wishes the BTA to promote Scotland for as a tourist destination.
Answer
The content of marketing campaigns is an operational matter for VisitScotland and the BTA. The two agencies co-operate closely to ensure that BTA activities in respect of Scotland meet Scottish priorities and also supplement VisitScotland campaigns. The BTA therefore markets Scotland as a country that provides a diverse range of cultural activities.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 24 December 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 21 January 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition is of "British culture", what discussions it has had with the Home Secretary regarding British culture, what steps it proposes to take to provide information on culture to immigrants and what culture it will provide information on to them.
Answer
It is not for the Executive to seek to define British culture. No discussions have taken place with the Home Secretary regarding British culture and there are no Executive plans to provide information on culture to immigrants.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 24 December 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Andy Kerr on 21 January 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what the normal travel time is between Victoria Quay and Meridian Court, Glasgow and how many civil servants currently travel between these offices on a daily basis.
Answer
The normal travelling time between Victoria Quay, Edinburgh and Meridian Court, Glasgow depends on the method of transport used and the time during the day when travel is undertaken. By public transport or car at peak times it may take up to one and a half hours. Information about the number of civil servants who currently travel on a daily basis between these two offices is not held in the form requested and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 24 December 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Mike Watson on 21 January 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what role culture plays in promoting Scotland as a tourist destination and what culture Scotland is promoted for as a tourist destination.
Answer
Our tourism industry derives considerable benefit from the promotion of our diverse culture. I intend to ensure that the linkages between the tourism and culture sectors are effective so that both derive maximum benefit from the activities of the other. VisitScotland is developing a national product portfolio in which a wide range of cultural activities will feature strongly. This will focus and enhance the marketing effort.
