- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 May 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 1 June 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on market access to port services, published by the European Commission on 13 October 2004, and what implications it considers there are for the delivery of port services in Scotland.
Answer
The UK Government’s position on the Directive is a reserved matter and the responsibility of the Department for Transport. The Scottish Executive will liaise closely with the DfT and the ports industry to ensure that Scottish circumstances are addressed. A number of issues have been identified relating to the Scottish ports industry and we will ensure that these are reflected in the UK Government’s agreed negotiating position.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 May 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 1 June 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on establishing a freight transport strategy for Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Executive plans to hold a freight strategy seminar in the summer, to which key stakeholders will be invited to ensure that the needs of the freight sector are fully considered as national and regional freight transport strategies develop.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 May 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 1 June 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide the Parliament with an opportunity to scrutinise Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on market access to port services, published by the European Commission on 13 October 2004.
Answer
It is anticipated that the draft Directive will require lengthy debate during and beyond the forthcoming UK Presidency of the EU, and we will be prepared to consider this suggestion at an appropriate time as the UK Government’s position on the Directive evolves. At present the Executive is liaising closely with the Department for Transport and the ports industry in Scotland to ensure that Scottish circumstances are addressed where appropriate.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 16 May 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by George Reid on 1 June 2005
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether the Construction Manager has complied in full with the provisions of paragraph 2.12 of Memorandum of Agreement between the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (acting through the Project Director and Sponsor, Holyrood Project Team) and Bovis Construction (Scotland) Limited in connection with the construction of the Scottish Parliament Building at Holyrood, Edinburgh in respect of immediately notifying the client of any instance of non-compliance with any applicable requirements; if not, whether it will give details, and whether the Construction Manager has ever notified the client of any non-compliance with applicable requirements on the part of other consultants involved in the Holyrood Project.
Answer
The performance of the Construction Manager and other contractors will be fully considered as part of the finalisation of the Holyrood Project. It would not be possible to provide the information requested separately without disproportionate effort and cost.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 16 May 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by George Reid on 1 June 2005
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether the Construction Manager has complied in full with the obligation under paragraph 2.3 of Memorandum of Agreement between the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (acting through the Project Director and Sponsor, Holyrood Project Team) and Bovis Construction (Scotland) Limited in connection with the construction of the Scottish Parliament Building at Holyrood Edinburgh, that "all written communications from the Construction Manager to the design team or with any of them shall contemporaneously be copied to the remainder of the Design Team and to the Client."
Answer
The performance of the Construction Manager and other contractors will be fully considered as part of the finalisation of the Holyrood Project. It would not be possible to provide the information requested separately without disproportionate effort and cost.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 16 May 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by George Reid on 1 June 2005
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether the Construction Manager has undertaken and performed its duties and functions as construction manager as specified in the trade contracts, referred to in paragraph 2.6 of Memorandum of Agreement between the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (acting through the Project Director and Sponsor, Holyrood Project Team) and Bovis Construction (Scotland) Limited in connection with the construction of the Scottish Parliament Building at Holyrood, Edinburgh.
Answer
The performance of the Construction Manager and other contractors will be fully considered as part of the finalisation of the Holyrood Project. It would not be possible to provide the information requested separately without disproportionate effort and cost.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 12 May 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 26 May 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the Partnership Agreement proposal for a study into the possible benefits of cheaper flights in the Highlands and Islands to be implemented and whether this will be before May 2007.
Answer
The Partnership Agreement made a commitment to fully evaluate the HITRANS’ proposals for a Highlands and Islands air network, and to work to reduce the cost of lifeline air links to and form the Highlands and Islands. Funding has been allocated of £12 million per year from 2005-06 and detailed proposals will be implemented before May 2007.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 12 May 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 26 May 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on legal advice which HITRANS has obtained to the effect that there is no legal impediment to the creation of public service obligations within the Highlands and Islands and what advice it has received on possible legal challenges to this advice.
Answer
The Scottish Executive has not questioned the legal advice obtained by HITRANS on Public Service Obligations and has not received legal advice on a potential legal challenge to this advice.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 12 May 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 26 May 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether powers will be delegated to it from Her Majesty's Government to allow it to take decisions about public service obligations for flights within Scotland and, in particular, within the Highlands and Islands.
Answer
The delegation of further powers in relation to air service Public Service Obligations (PSOs) would require to be agreed with the UK Government. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of transport issues, including public service obligations relating to air flights in Scotland.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 12 May 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 26 May 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what provision has been made in its budget plans to support the proposals by HITRANS for improved air services for the Highlands and Islands; whether a specific amount has been set aside, earmarked or otherwise allocated within the overall transport or other budget, and, if so, what specific amount and in which financial year or years.
Answer
The Scottish Executive has allocated £12 million for 2005-06 and for the subsequent two years for the enhancement of air services in the Highlands and Islands.
