BUSINESS BULLETIN 141 / 2000

Thursday 21 September 2000

Section D - Oral questions selected for answer on 28 September 2000

Question Time

1. Tricia Marwick: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider, in the light of the current fuel situation, the advice it gave to the shadow strategic rail authority about the franchise bids for the east coast mainline between Edinburgh and Aberdeen. (S1O-2289)

2. Mr Mike Rumbles: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has reviewed the effects of the discounted scheme for local users on the Skye Bridge in accordance with the commitment to do so contained in the Partnership Agreement. (S1O-2311)

3. Kay Ullrich: To ask the Scottish Executive what overspend there has been in each of Scotland’s acute hospital Trusts in the first four months of the current financial year. (S1O-2295)

4. Fergus Ewing: To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8820 by Sarah Boyack on 25 August 2000, whether it intends to review the level of water authority chairmens’ salary packages. (S1O-2306)

5. Mr John McAllion: To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with reporters to Children’s Panels with regard to the availability of secure places for young offenders. (S1O-2312)

6. Dr Sylvia Jackson: To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the use of statement validity analysis in allegations of rape as developed by Chris Few. (S1O-2310)

7. Mr Jamie Stone: To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to restore the historic rights and titles of Scotland’s Royal Burghs. (S1O-2319)

8. Brian Adam: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to bring forward legislation, or to make representations to Her Majesty's Government, to legislate for mandatory consultation with local communities and other interested parties prior to consideration of applications for GM crop trials. (S1O-2292)

9. David Mundell: To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that every student in further and higher education develops appropriate IT skills. (S1O-2314)

10. Irene Oldfather: To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to secure the future of the Carrick-City of Adelaide, currently owned by the Scottish Maritime Museum, Irvine. (S1O-2301)

11. Patricia Ferguson: To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines exist for the screening of the vision of children by an orthoptist. (S1O-2318)

12. Mr John Munro: To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are proposed to ensure that Highland Council is allocated sufficient resources to maintain the area’s roads infrastructure. (S1O-2320)

13. Mr Kenneth Gibson: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports Scotland entering a team in the next or subsequent Olympic Games. (S1O-2298)

14. Alex Fergusson: To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure the survival of rural filling stations. (S1O-2313)

15. Allan Wilson: To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to protect the interests of anglers in Scotland. (S1O-2300)

16. Mr Kenneth Macintosh: To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage the recruitment and training of more Gaelic medium teachers. (S1O-2309)

17. Robin Harper: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the Marine Health Check report by Worldwide Fund for Nature, in particular the conclusion that the health of the marine environment is deteriorating, and what action it intends to take in response to this report. (S1O-2327)

18. Shona Robison: To ask the Scottish Executive why Tayside Health Board spent 14% of their capital allocation in 1999-2000. (S1O-2291)

19. Mr Andrew Welsh: To ask the Scottish Executive what financial provision it makes for essential lifeline bridge projects and what funding is available where structures reach the end of their lifespan. (S1O-2326)

20. Michael Russell: To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take regarding the possible closure of the Miners’ Library in Wanlockhead. (S1O-2290)

21. Rhoda Grant: To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to restructure the hill farming sector. (S1O-2294)

22. Karen Whitefield: To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote the use of public transport across Scotland. (S1O-2302)

23. Dr Elaine Murray: To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in considering what action is necessary to ensure that digital technology is available in all areas of Scotland. (S1O-2316)

24. Mary Scanlon: To ask the Scottish Executive when its report on haemophiliacs and hepatitis C will be published. (S1O-2321)

25. Christine Grahame: To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be applied to prioritise the allocation of the funds being made available from 2001-02 for the provision of central heating for pensioners. (S1O-2328)

26. Elaine Thomson: To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in relation to the Modernising Government agenda. (S1O-2317)

27. Johann Lamont: To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the total cost of the construction of the Malletsheugh–Dumbreck stretch of the M77 has been spent on compensation for noise and disruption to residents and to deal with air and noise pollution. (S1O-2305)

28. Mr Keith Harding: To ask the Scottish Executive whether voluntary organisations in Scotland will benefit from its newly announced spending plans. (S1O-2296)

29. Scott Barrie: To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to protect and enhance Scotland’s beaches. (S1O-2322)

30. Nora Radcliffe: To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that consideration of sustainable development issues is integrated into the policy formulation processes of each of its departments. (S1O-2324)