- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 30 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the creation of a bypass of Nairn on the A96 and, if so, what steps it will take to achieve this and within what timescale.
Answer
A bypass for Nairn is not currently part of the motorway and trunk roads programme.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 30 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from either the Highland Council or HITRANS in respect of a bypass of Nairn on the A96.
Answer
I am not aware of having received any representations on this matter from either the Highland Council or the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS).
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 30 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will carry out any study into the need for a bypass of Nairn on the A96 and whether it will invite the local enterprise company to consider the matter.
Answer
There are no current plans to carry out such a study.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 23 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has opposed, or will oppose, or express its opposition to Her Majesty’s Government regarding, any proposal by the European Union to increase the Hilton quotas for importation of beef from Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay from the existing levels.
Answer
Negotiations between Mercosur (the South American trading group) and the EU Commission are currently underway with a view to improving EU/Mercosur trade. The UK is actively involved in these discussions. The Executive has made it clear that increases in Hilton quotas for beef would be a concern.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 22 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with representatives of, and businesses operating in, the bingo industry to discuss any concerns about the impact of the UK Gambling Bill on their businesses.
Answer
The Scottish Executive has had no discussions with representatives of, and businesses operating in, the bingo industry. However, the Bingo Association’s response to the Executive’s Consultation Paper Devolved Powers in the Draft Gambling Bill (Bib. number 33121) has been taken into consideration.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 22 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty’s Government regarding the bingo industry and, in particular, in favour of equal treatment between the bingo industry and other elements of the gambling industry in respect of taxation to ensure that provisions in the UK Gambling Bill should not prejudice the interests of bingo clubs in Scotland, in light of the conclusions of the Gambling Review Report, that bingo is a safe and comfortable environment, particularly for women, and often has a place at the heart of the community.
Answer
Taxation of the gambling industry is a reserved matter, but I can advise that the provisions of the Gambling Bill do not include any proposals for the taxation of the gambling industry.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 22 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the contribution that the bingo industry makes to the economy.
Answer
We are not aware of any assessment of the contribution the bingo industry makes to the economy.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 22 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the findings of EuroRAP 2004 British Results that the A82, A889 and A99 are “high risk”, whether it accepts that further engineering measures aimed at cutting accidents on these roads are required.
Answer
The annual accident analysis of the trunk road network is currently underway and the analysis will identify a prioritised list of sites for accident investigation and remedial action which will be used to develop a programme of work for 2005-06. The A82, A889 and the A99 are included in this exercise.
As part of the 2004-05 programme, village gateway projects have been completed on the A99 at Latheron, Lybster, Thrumster and Wick as well on the A889 at Dalwhinnie.
Accident investigation studies have also been completed for both the A82 between Tyndrum and Inverness and the A889 between Dalwhinnie and Catlodge. The reports are under consideration and any agreed works will be carried out.
In addition, a route action plan has been commissioned which will identify measures to improve road safety and reduce journey times between Tarbet and Fort William.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 22 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take, within its responsibilities, to protect and promote the bingo industry in Scotland.
Answer
Scottish ministers will have power to set regulations governing the conditions which Licensing Boards may attach to all bingo premises licences issued in Scotland. Ministers will also have power to set and vary licence fees for bingo premises.
There are no plans at present to take any specific steps with regard to the protection and promotion of the bingo industry in Scotland.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2004
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 22 November 2004
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will recommend to Strathclyde Passenger Transport that alternative proposals put forward by Mr Simon Wallwork should be added to the Glasgow Airport Rail Link consultation paper.
Answer
The Scottish Executive supports the preferred option upon which Strathclyde Passenger Transport are currently consulting. Mr Wallwork’s proposal has been carefully considered previously.