- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 02 October 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 12 October 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive on what basis the Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution expects that an independent Scotland would be a net contributor to the European Union, as stated by him to the Europe and External Relations Committee on 29 September 2009 (Official Report c. 1222).
Answer
Annex B of the recently published National Conversation paper on Europe and Foreign Affairs sets out the background and methodology. This paper is available on the publications section of the Scottish Government website at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/09/08143726/0.
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 02 October 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 9 October 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27398 by John Swinney on 29 September 2009, what responsibility it has in relation to the appointment of trustees of the Lothian Pension Fund
Answer
The Scottish Government has no responsibilities in relation to the appointment of trustees for the Lothian Pension Fund. This is a matter for the City of Edinburgh Council.
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 01 October 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 9 October 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27397 by John Swinney on 29 September 2009, how many of its civil servants are members of the Lothian Pension Fund.
Answer
The pension arrangements that operate for Scottish Government civil servants are provided through the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme. No civil servants within the Scottish Government are current members of the Lothian Pension Fund.
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 9 October 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest performance figure is for paying undisputed invoices within 10 days in each (a) agency for which it is responsible and (b) Scottish Executive directorate.
Answer
The Scottish Government aspires to pay all undisputed supplier invoices within 10 working days. During the month of August 2009, as analysed in the following table, 91% of undisputed invoices were paid within 10 working days by the Scottish Government and the executive agencies who use our financial systems. We do not hold information for the executive agencies which have their own financial systems.
| Director General Responsibilities: | % |
| Economy and Chief Economic Advisor | 88 |
| Education | 93 |
| Environment | 90 |
| Finance and Corporate Services | 94 |
| Health and Chief Executive NHS Scotland | 77 |
| Justice and Communities | 88 |
| Strategy and Ministerial Support | 79 |
| Agencies sharing SG systems: | |
| Accountant in Bankruptcy | 93 |
| Disclosure Scotland | 97 |
| HM Inspectorate of Education | 100 |
| Student Awards Agency Scotland | 99 |
| Scottish Courts Service | 90 |
| Scottish Housing Regulator | 90 |
| Scottish Public Pensions Agency | 100 |
| Social Work Inspection Agency | 100 |
| Transport Scotland | 93 |
The Scottish Government also purchases goods and services using Government Procurement Cards (GPC) and payment performance is measured by taking into account both GPC and invoiced transactions. For the month of August 2009, the Scottish Government and bodies sharing our financial systems paid 95% of all transactions within 10 working days.
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Bruce Crawford on 9 October 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what actions of the Scottish Government require parliamentary approval.
Answer
Ministers are accountable to the parliament for the exercise of the powers, duties and functions conferred on them by statute, convention and under the royal prerogative.
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 6 October 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have been involved in ministerial discussions concerning the drafting of and preparation for the proposed Referendum Bill.
Answer
All ministers have been involved in discussions about the Referendum Bill.
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 6 October 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to defending any challenge to the proposed Referendum Bill in the Court of Session and the possible costs involved in such a challenge.
Answer
This issue will be considered as part of the normal process for preparing for the introduction of a Bill.
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 6 October 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what further publications it intends to produce as part of its National Conversation.
Answer
The Scottish Government will publish papers covering a range of topics.
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 6 October 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with UK Government departments concerning the drafting of and preparation for the proposed Referendum Bill.
Answer
Scottish Government officials discuss the development of policy with a wide range of interests including, where appropriate, officials in the UK Government.
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 6 October 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation is proposed with (a) local government, (b) trades unions, (c) industry, (d) voluntary organisations and (e) the public in relation to the proposed Referendum Bill.
Answer
We will bring forward detailed plans in relation to the Referendum Bill in due course.
