Seòmar agus comataidhean

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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 1927 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S3W-25071

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 June 2009
Current Status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 16 July 2009

To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been carried out on the potential impact of the Forth Replacement Crossing on existing routes for cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians.

The environmental impact assessment being undertaken for the proposed scheme includes consideration of the potential effects on pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians and community facilities. The assessment includes the identification of local paths, core paths, rights of way, cycleways, National Cycle Routes, equestrian routes and key community and outdoor facilities within the study area. This information has been gathered through desk-based assessment, site visits and consultation with statutory and non-statutory organisations.

The potential impacts on journey lengths, amenity value, community severance and outdoor access arising from the proposed scheme will be reported in Chapter 17 (Pedestrians, Cyclists, Equestrians and Community Effects) of the Environmental Statement to be published later in 2009.

Question reference: S3W-25069

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 June 2009
Current Status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 16 July 2009

To ask the Scottish Executive what traffic studies have been undertaken in connection with the Forth Replacement Crossing.

Traffic studies for the Forth Replacement Crossing project have been undertaken using the Transport Model for Scotland (TMfS), with micro-simulation modelling to assess local traffic movement. The modelled base year is 2005 and the traffic model assignments were calibrated and validated using local traffic survey data which post dates the opening of the M9 spur and the removal of tolls on the Forth Road Bridge. This model was used for the DMRB Stage 2 Transport and Economic assessment work which has now been published on the project website at www.forthreplacementcrossing.info.

A comparison of predicted traffic flows has been undertaken for the year after opening (2017). This compares the situation with and without the bridge. Verification and audit of this work is continuing.

Question reference: S3W-25248

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 16 July 2009

To ask the Scottish Executive what prosecutions there have been in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09 for (i) litter depositing, (ii) dog fouling and (iii) nuisance and what percentage has been successful.

The information for 2006-07 and 2007-08 (the most recent years available) is shown in the following table:

Persons Proceeded Against in Scottish Courts for Dog Fouling, Litter Offences and Nuisance, 2006-07 and 2007-08

Offence¹	Proceeded against	Charge proved	(Per cent) Successfully prosecuted
2006-07
Vandalism, malicious damage and malicious mischief	5,275	4,651	88
Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 S45²	10	10	100
Litter Offences	57	56	98
Dog fouling	11	9	82
2007-08
Vandalism, malicious damage and malicious mischief	5,230	4,561	87
Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 S45²	21	21	100
Litter Offences	93	89	96
Dog fouling	8	8	100

Source: Scottish Government Court Proceedings database.

Notes:

1. Where main offence.

2. S45 covers the offence of noise exceeding permitted level after service of notice.

Prosecution in court is only one of a range of possible options for dealing with an individual who has been charged with an offence of this type. Other actions include the use of fiscal warnings, fixed penalty notices and fiscal fines.

Question reference: S3W-25070

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 June 2009
Current Status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 16 July 2009

To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been carried out on the potential effect on local wildlife of building the Forth Replacement Crossing.

The environmental impact assessment being undertaken for the proposed scheme includes consideration of ecology and nature conservation. Ecological surveys have been carried out over an extensive corridor covering a wide array of species and habitats.

Information regarding environmental surveys was published in a leaflet on the project website www.forthreplacementcrossing.info in March 2008. The results of these surveys have been used to inform the environmental impact assessment. The ecological assessment will be reported in the Environmental Statement to be published later in 2009.

Reports to inform an Appropriate Assessment of impacts to the Forth Islands Special Protection Area (SPA) (including Leith Docks SPA), Firth of Forth SPA and River Teith Special Area of Conservation (SAC) are also being prepared.

Question reference: S3W-25068

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 June 2009
Current Status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 16 July 2009

To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings have been held with (a) MSPs and (b) local people concerning the Forth Replacement Crossing, showing the dates, locations and who was invited.

The ongoing Forth Replacement Crossing Communications Strategy has involved significant and sustained engagement with affected communities, more widely affected or interested stakeholders, and the appropriate elected members.

Community engagement takes place through exhibitions, briefing sessions, group meetings, 1-2-1 meetings, newsletters, the project website and correspondence.

The following table provides details of meetings held with MSPs and local people showing dates, locations and the groups invited since December 2007:

Date	Location	Event
16-17 April 2008	Venues in North and South Queensferry	Stakeholder briefings: North Queensferry Community Councils, South Queensferry Community Councils, Elected Representatives, Councillors, Community Groups, Business & Economic Bodies
27 May 2008	Radisson, Royal Mile, Edinburgh	Briefing for elected members
3 June 2008	South Queensferry	Linn Mill Residents Association
5 June 2008	Scottish Parliament	1-2-1 with Mary Mulligan MSP
9 July 2008	Aberdour	Aberdour Community Council
1 September 2008	South Queensferry	Queensferry District Community Council
11 September 2008	North Queensferry	North Queensferry Community Council
4 November 2008	Rosyth Community Centre	Rosyth Community Council
8-9 January 2009	Radisson, Royal Mile, Edinburgh	Stakeholder briefings: elected representatives, statutory bodies, community councils and non-statutory groups
19-30 January 2009	North Queensferry, South Queensferry, Dunfermline, Edinburgh Central, Edinburgh Gyle, Inverkeithing, Kirkcaldy, Kirkliston, Linlithgow, Livingston, Rosyth, Winchburgh	Public Information Exhibitions:
22 January 2009	North Queensferry	North Queensferry Community Council
9 March 2009	South Queensferry	South Queensferry Community Council and Queensferry Business Association
24 March 2009	Scottish Parliament	1-2-1 with Helen Eadie MSP
1 April 2009	North Queensferry	North Queensferry Community Council
23 April 2009	South Queensferry	Dundas Home Farm Residents Meeting
5 May 2009	Scottish Parliament	1-2-1 with Margaret Smith MSP
7 May 2009	Scottish Parliament	1-2-1 with Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP
1 and 3 June 2009	South Queensferry	Briefing for South Queensferry Residents:
2 June 2009	Radisson, Royal Mile, Edinburgh	Briefing for elected representatives
8 June 2009	Scottish Parliament	1-2-1 with Jim Tolson MSP
9 June 2009	North Queensferry	North Queensferry, Rosyth, Inverkeithing Community Councils
11 June 2009	South Queensferry	Queensferry and District Community Council and Queensferry Business Association
16 June 2009	Scottish Parliament	1-2-1 with Margaret Smith MSP
18 June 2009	Cramond	Briefing to Almond Neighbourhood Partnership
1 July 2009	South Queensferry	Linn Mill Community Council
1 July 2009	Newton	Newton Community Council
8 July 2009	Kirkliston Community Centre	Kirkliston residents
9 July 2009	Dundas Home Farm	Dundas Home Farm residents

Question reference: S3W-25251

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 15 July 2009

To ask the Scottish Executive what official engagements the First Minister has planned for July and August 2009 and whether an estimate has been made of catering costs.

Question reference: S3W-25336

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2009
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 13 July 2009

To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken since May 2007 to disperse asylum seekers from Glasgow to other local authority areas.

Question reference: S3W-25245

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 13 July 2009

To ask the Scottish Executive what finance it will make available to NHS Lothian to fund the building of the new Royal Hospital for Sick Children and what percentage of the total cost this represents.

Question reference: S3W-25250

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 8 July 2009

To ask the Scottish Executive what the reported incidence of mouth cancer was in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Question reference: S3W-25335

Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2009
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 3 July 2009

To ask the Scottish Executive what ministerial contributions were made to the drafting and publication of Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland 2007-08.