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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: S3W-39597

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 25 February 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what recommendations the Infrastructure Investment Group made to (a) the Permanent Secretary of the Scottish Executive, (b) its Strategic Board and (c) the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth in 2010.

The Infrastructure Investment Group oversaw the recent improvements to the Scottish Government''s infrastructure investment governance structure, specifically the establishment of the Infrastructure Investment Board, helping meet the recommendations of the Public Audit Committee and Audit Scotland to strengthen governance of capital investment.

Prior to implementing these changes, recommendations for approval were made to both (a) the Permanent Secretary and (c) me.

Question reference: S3W-39595

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 25 February 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Infrastructure Investment Group provided advice to the (a) Scottish Government or (b) the City of Edinburgh Council in relation to the Edinburgh trams project and, if so, what advice.

Question reference: S3W-39593

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 25 February 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Infrastructure Investment Group had any involvement with the Edinburgh trams project and, if so, how it (a) scrutinised and (b) monitored the project and what conclusions it reached regarding the management of the project.

Question reference: S3W-39599

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 25 February 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what major capital projects the Infrastructure Investment Group scrutinised in 2010.

During the course of 2010 the Infrastructure Investment Group (IIG) examined the following key infrastructure investment programmes:

Schools for the Future School Building programme;

Hub;

Health capital programme; and

Offshore renewable energy requirements.

Members also used the opportunity to provide the group with updates on capital investment in their respective portfolios, including transport, prisons and further and higher education.

The IIG also approved the establishment of the Infrastructure Projects Database, which provides financial, contractual and procurement details of around 100 capital projects across the Scottish Government and NHS Boards.

Question reference: S3W-39600

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 25 February 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what investment funds the Infrastructure Investment Group managed strategically across the Scottish Executive and how it ensured that variances from planned expenditure were kept to a minimum in 2010.

Question reference: S3W-39598

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 25 February 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide examples of the Infrastructure Investment Group improving co-ordination of investment activity in 2010.

The Infrastructure Investment Group played an important role in improving co-ordination of investment activity during 2010. Specific examples included:

Leading on the review of governance of the Scottish Government''s capital programme, which led to the establishment of both the Infrastructure Investment Board to take on an executive role in infrastructure governance and the creation of the Infrastructure Projects Database which provides financial, contractual and procurement details of capital projects across the Scottish Government and NHS boards;

Co-ordinating European Investment Bank activities across the Scottish Government;

Supporting the work of the 2010 Spending Review; and

Examining opportunities for synergies between portfolios.

Question reference: S3W-39602

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 25 February 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what strategic issues relating to infrastructure investment the Infrastructure Investment Group considered in 2010.

The Infrastructure Investment Group considered a number of strategic issues during 2010. Specific examples included:

The review of governance of the Scottish Government''s capital programme, following the recommendations of the Public Audit Committee and Audit Scotland;

Audit Scotland follow-up review of major capital projects;

Implications for public spending from the UK Government''s 2010 budget announcement;

The Scottish Government''s 2010 Spending Review;

Delivery of Scottish Government infrastructure investment programmes, including the Schools for the Futures school building programme and hub initiative;

Future strategic infrastructure options, including the health capital programme and offshore renewable energy infrastructure; and

Scottish Government interaction with the European Investment Bank.

Question reference: S3W-39596

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 25 February 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Infrastructure Investment Group provided any management arrangements to ensure an effective investment strategy for the Edinburgh trams project.

Question reference: S3W-39592

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 25 February 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the chief executive of Transport Scotland received (a) advice or (b) recommendations from members of the Infrastructure Investment Group in relation to the Edinburgh trams project and, if so, what advice or recommendations.

Question reference: S3W-39594

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 25 February 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Infrastructure Investment Group made recommendations to the (a) Scottish Government or (b) City of Edinburgh Council in relation to the Edinburgh trams project and, if so, what recommendations.