- 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 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 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 study it has made of the possible economic impact of the proposed HITRANS scheme for air travel within the Highlands and Islands and how many additional jobs this might create, both directly and indirectly.
Answer
The Scottish Executive has made no specific study of the economic impact of the proposed scheme. As part of the proposal, HITRANS commissioned a study from Steer Davis Gleave which included an analysis of potential economic impacts in accordance with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance. This study produced an estimate of employment impacts of 610 new jobs directly created, and a net total of 595 jobs indirectly supported, should the full proposal be implemented.
- 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 it is aware of any challenge made within any EU state in respect of the application of a public service obligation to any air route or routes which has been put out to tender and what the details are of any such challenge.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is not aware of any challenge made within any EU state in respect of the application of a Public Service Obligation (PSO) to any air route. The European Commission is, however, currently investigating whether 18 PSOs imposed by Italy on routes between Sardinia and the Italian mainland conform with European legislation.
- 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 the length of public service obligation (PSO) relating to air routes should be increased from three years and, if so, what the duration should be; whether a longer period should be stipulated in the tender for any proposed PSO route, and whether a period longer than three years would provide a more reasonable opportunity to allow the public to become acquainted with the new route timetable and lower fares envisaged by the HITRANS proposal for air services for the Highlands and Islands.
Answer
The period under which a Public Service Obligation (PSO) is governed is contained in EC Regulation 2408/92. No tender can be issued for a period in excess of three years.
- 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.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 May 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Andy Kerr on 24 May 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reduce the number of NHS boards and, in the event that NHS Argyll and Clyde is reformed, whether its debt would be annulled or transferred in whole or in part to any successor body or bodies.
Answer
I refer the member to the statement I made to Parliament on these matters on 19 May 2005.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 13 May 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 24 May 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will conduct a survey into the value of recreational sea angling to the economy.
Answer
The Scottish Executive, in partnership with the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group, is considering the commissioning of a report on the economic impact of sea angling.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 May 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Andy Kerr on 23 May 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what account it has taken of research into the effects of artificial fluoride on the presence of naturally-occurring fluoride, in light of the publication of An Action Plan for Improving Oral Health and Modernising NHS Dental Services in Scotland.
Answer
We are not aware of any researchinto the effects of artificial fluoride onthe presence of naturally-occurring fluoride.
The individual responses to theconsultation Towards Better Oral Health in Children informed An Action Plan forImproving Oral Health and Modernising NHS Dental Services in Scotland and thesubsequent announcement by First Minister that we will not be changing the current legislation on fluoridation of watersupplies.
